By: Meyer Wolfsheim

New York City Mayor Eric Adams put Public Advocate Jumaane Williams in his place Sunday after the rival official posted a playful social media warning that he might assume control of City Hall if Adams didn’t return promptly from his extended overseas trip, the New York Post reported.

Williams’ post referenced the city charter, which allows the public advocate to step in if the mayor is absent from New York for nine consecutive days. As of Sunday, Adams had been away for eight days on what Williams described as a “globetrotting” itinerary that took him to Israel, Albania, and Uzbekistan, among other stops.

On the social media platform X, Williams shared a short video of himself apparently “waiting” to take over the mayor’s office. He captioned the post, “We’re ready at City Hall just in case he decides to add another globetrotting stop—or his flight gets delayed a few hours,” the Post reported. The tongue-in-cheek message drew attention to the mayor’s lengthy absence and poked fun at the city charter’s unusual provision.

Adams, still abroad, didn’t take the joke lightly. Responding to Williams’ post, the mayor fired back with a sharp rebuke, writing, “One has to feel a bit bad watching a four-year attempt to become Mayor by every means except winning over the voters finally crash and burn. I genuinely hope you find some peace and happiness moving forward,” according to the Post.

The exchange highlights the ongoing tension between the two politicians, who have a long history of trading barbs. Earlier this year, Adams faced an indictment, and Williams publicly called for the mayor’s resignation at a rally, citing concerns over corruption and governance. Adams has often criticized Williams’ record as public advocate, framing him as a perpetual candidate for mayor who struggles to achieve results.

The mayor’s international itinerary has drawn attention from political observers, with Adams traveling to multiple countries in recent days. On Nov. 20, he was photographed in Uzbekistan alongside local officials, further fueling Williams’ cheeky “ready to take over” commentary. While the mayor’s trips are officially framed as part of city business, the timing and length of his absences have made for easy fodder for critics and political rivals, the New York Post reported.

Despite the sparring, both men are preparing for major changes in city government. Adams is set to leave office at the end of the year following the election of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, while Williams secured re-election as public advocate in November. With the transition approaching, these public exchanges may reflect both lingering rivalry and attempts to shape their political legacies before leaving the spotlight.

Even as the online post was intended as humor, Adams’ pointed response emphasized that political rivalries in New York often play out in public forums, with social media providing a direct channel for personal jabs and commentary on official duties. From joking about charter provisions to criticizing governance records, the episode underscores the sometimes theatrical nature of city politics.