Brad Lander’s Desperate Power Grab: Radical Left-Wing Comptroller Moves Against Adams

By Jared Evan

City Comptroller Brad Lander, a progressive firebrand with ambitions beyond his current role, is aggressively targeting Mayor Eric Adams,  amNY reported.

Lander is demanding a concrete “contingency plan” for city operations following the resignation of four deputy mayors—or threatening to push forward with a process that could remove Adams from office altogether.

Speaking from his Lower Manhattan office Tuesday morning, Lander, who has long positioned himself as a fierce opponent of Adams, announced plans to meet with Governor Kathy Hochul later in the day to discuss invoking the Committee on Mayoral Inability, a panel with the authority to declare Adams unfit to serve. His move follows the resignations of four of Adams’ deputy mayors, a shift Lander is exploiting for political gain, according to amNY.

“If he fails or refuses to provide a clear contingency plan for how New Yorkers can rely on the services that make this city run, then, as I said, I will be reaching out to other members of the Committee on Mayoral Inability to discuss the question of whether the mayor can discharge the powers and duties of his office,” Lander stated, according to amNY. “New Yorkers deserve continuity, and right now, that is in serious jeopardy.”

The potential removal process would be overseen by Lander himself, alongside City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Corporation Counsel Muriel Goode-Trufant, a deputy mayor of Adams’ choosing, and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards.

Lander’s Political Opportunism on Full Display

The timing of Lander’s latest stunt is no coincidence, amNY reported. Governor Hochul is already meeting with top city officials to weigh Adams’ fate, adding fuel to the left-wing push against the incumbent mayor. Adams, who has faced scrutiny over federal investigations, recently had corruption charges against him dropped by the Justice Department—a move Lander and his allies have used to stir controversy, according to amNY.

Meanwhile, the mayor’s office has remained focused on stability. Mayoral spokesperson Kayla Mamelak Altus issued a statement confirming that the administration would reply to Lander’s letter while emphasizing that leadership transitions are being handled responsibly.

“All deputy mayors remain in their roles for the time being to ensure a seamless transition, and we are actively working to find their replacements,” Altus said, according to amNY.

But the situation remains volatile. The four resigning deputy mayors—Maria Torres-Springer, Meera Joshi, Anne Williams-Isom, and Chauncey Parker—have yet to announce official departure dates, adding to the uncertainty Lander is eager to exploit, amNY reported.

Weaponizing the Mayoral Inability Clause

Lander, known for his radical left-wing positions, is urging Adams to step down voluntarily, allowing the outgoing deputy mayors to remain in place. However, Adams has shown no signs of giving in to what many see as an opportunistic political attack.

“If he has a different plan for what he will do in the face of the resignation of these deputy mayors, he needs to lay it out,” Lander asserted, according to amNY. “And if he doesn’t, then conversations have to continue about how to make sure those duties are met.”

However, legal experts remain divided on whether the Committee on Mayoral Inability was intended for cases of physical incapacitation, such as severe illness, rather than political maneuvering. Lander insists the situation qualifies, despite the debate, amNY reported.

“Is the mayor able to discharge the powers and duties of his office under the City Charter at this time?” Lander asked. “Those are the questions New Yorkers are asking, and that is exactly what Section 10 of the City Charter was designed to address,” according to amNY.

As the political battle intensifies, Lander’s motives are clear: weaken his opponent and position himself for greater power. With the 2025 mayoral race on the horizon, his desperation is growing, and his latest gambit against Adams is just the latest attempt to destabilize City Hall, amNY reported.