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Defiant Mayor Adams Declares Divine Mission, Vows to Stay Put: ‘I Am Going Nowhere’
Edited by: TJVNews.com
Mayor Eric Adams has made it clear that he will not step down despite an escalating series of legal troubles and mounting pressure from political leaders. Speaking at the Maranatha Baptist Church in Queens Village on Sunday, Adams delivered a defiant speech, asserting that he is “on a mission from God” and will not be swayed by the growing chorus of calls for his resignation. As The New York Post reported on Subday, Adams, who is seeking a second term as mayor, told congregants that he is “going nowhere” and that his faith has strengthened his resolve.
“I have a mission to finish, the mission that God put me on many years ago,” Adams declared, according to The New York Post. His remarks come amid a federal investigation into allegations that he expedited the opening of the Turkish Consulate in Manhattan in exchange for $123,000 in bribes and accepted illegal campaign donations from Turkish sources. These accusations have cast a long shadow over his administration, and many within the Democratic Party have called for his resignation.
Despite these allegations, Adams remains steadfast in his belief that he is being unfairly targeted. “I just find it so amazing—the most sanctified among us are calling for me to step down,” he told the congregation, according to The New York Post. “I’m not going to step down. I’m going to step up.” However, while Adams insists that he will not relinquish his position, his political survival is increasingly uncertain as scandals continue to unfold.
A significant twist in Adams’ legal troubles came when the Justice Department, now under the Trump administration, ordered Manhattan federal prosecutors to drop the corruption case against him. As The New York Post reported, the move was seen as highly controversial, especially given Adams’ recent efforts to align himself with Trump’s hardline immigration policies. Many political analysts have pointed out that this shift in allegiance may have played a role in the Justice Department’s decision to intervene in the case.
The political fallout has been severe. Manhattan’s top federal prosecutor, Danielle Sassoon, resigned in protest over the dropped charges, calling the decision a blatant “quid pro quo.” In a scathing resignation letter obtained by The New York Post, Sassoon argued that the dismissal of charges against Adams was a direct result of his newfound alignment with the Trump administration. She suggested that Adams’ compliance with Trump’s immigration stance effectively made him an indebted political figure, rather than an independent leader accountable to the people of New York City.
Meanwhile, the chorus of voices demanding Adams’ resignation continues to grow. The New York Post noted that at least 30 Democratic leaders have publicly called for him to step down, citing concerns about his ability to govern effectively amid these controversies. Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, a key figure in New York’s political landscape, made his stance clear in a social media post last Thursday: “New York City deserves a Mayor accountable to the people, not beholden to the President. Mayor Adams should step down.”
State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins echoed these sentiments while attending a political conference in Albany, telling The New York Post on Saturday, “It’s probably time that he move aside.” Her comments reflect the growing frustration within the Democratic Party as Adams’ scandals become an increasing liability for the city and its leadership.
In an unprecedented development, Governor Kathy Hochul is considering whether to invoke her rarely used authority to remove New York City Mayor Eric Adams from office. As reported by The New York Post, this extraordinary action has not been attempted since Franklin D. Roosevelt held the governorship, calling attention to the gravity of the situation. The political ramifications of such a move would be seismic, particularly given the historical and racial dynamics surrounding Adams, the city’s second Black mayor.
According to The New York Post, State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins has indicated her willingness to support Hochul should she decide to take this unprecedented step. This signals a significant shift in the Democratic power structure of New York, where Adams, once a rising star in the party, now finds himself at the center of a storm. However, as The New York Post report noted, Hochul remains hesitant, weighing her legal and political options carefully before making a decision.
Hochul addressed the situation during an appearance on MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show, where she acknowledged the severity of the allegations against Adams but emphasized the need for measured decision-making. “The allegations are extremely concerning and serious,” Hochul stated, as quoted by The New York Post, “but I cannot as the governor of this state have a knee-jerk, politically motivated reaction like a lot of other people are saying right now.” This careful approach highlights the governor’s dilemma—balancing the demands for accountability with the political and racial complexities of New York’s electorate.
The New York Post also reported that one of Hochul’s major considerations is the response of Black political leaders, activists, and voters, including the influential Reverend Al Sharpton. Adams, a former NYPD officer and self-styled champion of working-class Black New Yorkers, has cultivated strong ties within these communities. Without their backing, Hochul risks alienating a crucial Democratic constituency, making her decision politically fraught. As The New York Post report indicated, there is skepticism among insiders that Hochul would move against Adams without securing support from these key figures.
Despite the mounting pressure, Adams remains defiant. Speaking to the Queens congregation on Sunday,, Adams declared “All those tripping over themselves to say … who I’m going to be beholden [to] and how I’m no longer independent — I know who I am. God is still in charge.” His words suggest an attempt to rally support from the religious and Black communities, portraying himself as a victim of political persecution.
The New York Post report observed that Adams’ speech reflected a broader frustration with how his tenure is being scrutinized. “I just don’t understand those who watched the second Black mayor in the history of this city — and they are joining in the chorus,” Adams lamented, as quoted by The New York Post. His comments seem to call out both political opponents and members of his own party who may be abandoning him amid controversy.
