Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) called for New York City Mayor Eric Adams to resign following his indictment, The Hill reported. Adams is facing corruption charges stemming from a federal investigation.
Adams was served with a five-count indictment that included charges such as bribery, wire fraud, and foreign contribution on Thursday. Adams maintains his innocence and has insisted he is staying in office for the duration.
This has become a problem for lawmakers like Nadler who see Adams as a burden to the city. "My belief is that the Mayor has lost the ability to effectively lead the City of New York, and therefore, he must resign," Nadler said in a statement shared on X, formerly Twitter.
My statement on Mayor Eric Adams: pic.twitter.com/pAovO99Gkn
— Rep. Nadler (@RepJerryNadler) September 27, 2024
Nadler isn't alone in calling on Adams to resign from office amid the scandal. Still, Nadler's statement was careful to clarify that Adams has the presumption of innocence.
"While the criminal charges outlined in the indictment by the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York are very serious, Mayor Adams deserves the right to due process and to be treated as presumed innocent until proven guilty," Nadler stated. "However, there are questions of whether the Mayor can continue to effectively lead our City as Mayor at this time," he added.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) similarly demanded that Adams step down for the good of the city. "I do not see how Mayor Adams can continue governing New York City," Ocasio-Cortez said in her post to X on Wednesday.
"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," she added, referring to other officials around Adams who also have been implicated.
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
Adams didn't respond directly to Nadler but previously reiterated that he has no plans to leave office. "From here, my attorneys will take care of the case so I can take care of the city," Adams told reporters.
"My day-to-day will not change. I will continue to do the job for 8.3 million New Yorkers that I was elected to do and the 300,000 plus employees of our city government will continue to do their job because this is what we do as New Yorkers," he claimed.
Even when it came time for Thursday's arrangement, NBC News reported that Adams was still maintaining his innocence. He pleaded not guilty before a judge and dug in his heels about remaining in office.
"We are not surprised. We expected this. I ask New Yorkers to wait to hear our defense before making any judgments," Adams said after his indictment.
Adams needs to think of the people of New York instead of himself. Even if he is innocent, Adams will have to spend valuable time and resources defending himself, which will distract him from his duties.
