Calls for NYC Mayor Adams to resign mount after indictment

NEW YORK (PIX11) – New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted on federal criminal charges , sources confirmed Wednesday night, sparking new demands for his resignation.

Adams released a statement Wednesday night , calling himself a target and insisting he is innocent.

“I always knew that If I stood my ground for New Yorkers that I would be a target—and a target I became. If I am charged, I am innocent and I will fight this with every ounce of my strength and spirit,” Adams said.

The mayor has been under federal investigation related to fundraising during his 2021 mayoral campaign. The charges against Adams are still sealed.

Following the announcement, city officials urged the mayor to resign.

“Mayor Adams, like all New Yorkers, deserves due process, the presumption of innocence, and his day in court. However, it is clear that defending himself against serious federal charges will require a significant amount of the time and attention needed to govern this great city,” New York City Comptroller Brad Lander said. “The most appropriate path forward is for him to step down so that New York City can get the full focus its leadership demands.”

Former Comptroller Scott Stringer, who has explored the possibility of running, also released a statement calling on Adams to resign.

“There is simply zero chance that the wheels of government will move forward from this full steam head. Instead, we are left with a broken-down trainwreck of a municipal government,” he said.

“It’s a sad day for New York City when a sitting mayor is indicted on federal charges. While he is presumed innocent until proven guilty, there is no way he can effectively lead with this cloud hanging over him. With the challenges our city faces, he must step down for the good of New Yorkers,” Council Member Robert Holden wrote in a statement.

“Mayor Adams has already proven himself unfit and unable to lead from City Hall. He will absolutely be unable to lead from inside a courtroom. He must resign,” wrote Council Member Shekar Krishnan.

State Senator John Liu: “The people of New York City, however, need a mayor who is able to devote full time and full energy to putting the city on the right track, including recruitment and retention of top leadership for the City. Mayor Adams is simply unable to do that for the foreseeable future and therefore, for the good of all New Yorkers, must resign immediately.”

State Senator Gustavo Rivera voiced his support for Jumaane Williams to take over if Adams resigned. “We have crossed a threshold — the mayor cannot continue to govern. Eric Adams must resign. I’m confident that Jumaane Williams is ready to fulfill his duties and address a gap in trustworthy leadership. I wish him good health as he must undoubtedly be preparing for a necessary transition.”

Earlier Wednesday, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called for Adams’ resignation for the “good of the city”. Ocasio-Cortez explained her stance saying, “Nonstop investigations will make it impossible to recruit and retain a qualified administration.”

Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here .

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