Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) called on embattled New York City Mayor Eric Adams to resign, Breitbart reported. Adams and several officials surrounding him have been under investigation for corruption.
On Wednesday, Ocasio-Cortez posted to X, formerly Twitter, calling for Adams to step down because of the investigations. "I do not see how Mayor Adams can continue governing New York City," she wrote.
"The flood of resignations and vacancies are threatening gov function. Nonstop investigations will make it impossible to recruit and retain a qualified administration. For the good of the city, he should resign," Ocasio-Cortez concluded.
I do not see how Mayor Adams can continue governing New York City.
The flood of resignations and vacancies are threatening gov function. Nonstop investigations will make it impossible to recruit and retain a qualified administration.
For the good of the city, he should resign.…
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) September 25, 2024
Over the last year, the FBI has raided the homes of several New York City officials as part of a probe into Adams' "2021 campaign." Those officials included New York City Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Philip Banks and New York City First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright.
Other raids have already resulted in the resignations of New York City Schools Chancellor David Banks and New York City Health Commissioner Ashwin. Still, even after Ocasio-Cortez's post gained traction, Adams shot back in a statement that he wasn't going anywhere.
He mentioned race and vowed to stay in office despite the investigations. "For anyone who self-righteously claims people charged with serious crimes should not be in jail to now say that the second Black mayor of New York should resign because of rumors and innuendo — without even a single charge being filed — is the height of hypocrisy," Adams claimed.
"I am leading this city to protect it from exactly that kind of phony politics. The people of this city elected me to fight for them, and I will stay and fight no matter what," he added.
Unfortunately for Adams, it seems he might not get that chance after all. The day following this back-and-forth with Ocasio-Cortez, the New York Post reported that an indictment against Adams was unsealed.
The mayor's words ring hollow following the release of the 57-page indictment document alleging he received $123,000 in inducements from foreign nationals. "In 2014, Eric Adams, the defendant, became Brooklyn Borough President," the document stated.
"Thereafter, for nearly a decade, Adams sought and accepted improper valuable benefits, such as luxury international travel, including from wealthy foreign businesspeople and at least one Turkish government official seeking to gain influence over him." The indictment laid out the scheme whereby these kickbacks bankrolled Adams's lifestyle.
"As Adams’s prominence and power grew, his foreign-national benefactors sought to cash in on their corrupt relationships with him, particularly when, in 2021, it became clear that Adams would become New York City’s mayor. Adams agreed, providing favorable treatment in exchange for the illicit benefits he received," the indictment said.
Adams was treated to "free hotel rooms, flights on Turkey’s national airline, and meals at high-end restaurants." All he had to do in return was remove any red tape in building the Turkish Consulate.
In a development that rocks Congress, Ocasio-Cortez may be right on an issue for once. If these allegations are true against these officials, Adams and all of his Democratic cronies need to go.
