New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted on federal criminal charges.
Sources familiar with the matter told the New York Times on Wednesday night that Adams was indicted following a federal corruption investigation, though the specific charges are sealed. This would make him the first mayor in the city's history to be indicted while in office.
In a statement to the outlet, Adams remained defiant.
“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,” he said.
While the charges are unknown at this time, the federal investigation into Adams was focused partly on allegations that Adams conspired with the Turkish government to push through the construction of a new consulate for the country, eschewing safety concerns. In return, the Turkish government allegedly funneled illegal foreign funds into his campaign war chest, multiple outlets have reported.
The indictment is expected to be unsealed on Thursday.
Adams, in a video statement Wednesday night, decried the allegations as smears and politically motivated, connecting them with his response to the migrant crisis. He also said he would not step down.
"I will fight these injustices with every ounce of my strength and my spirit. If I'm charged, I know I am innocent, I will request intermediate trials so the New Yorkers can hear the truth," he said.
"Now, if I am charged, many may say I should resign because I cannot manage the city while fighting the case," Adams continued. "I can also understand everyday New Yorkers would be concerned that I cannot do my job while I face accusation. But I have been facing these lies for months since I began to speak out for all of you and their investigation started, yet the city has continued to improve. Make no mistake, you elected me to lead this city, and lead it I will."
Adams's rivals in next year's mayoral election were quick to call on him to step down.
“The most appropriate path forward is for him to step down so that New York City can get the full focus its leadership demands,” City Comptroller Brad Lander said, according to the outlet.
“We need a leader who is fully focused, without distraction, on the enormous challenges we face,” state Sen. Zellnor Myrie said.
If Adams resigns, public advocate Jumaane Williams would become the acting mayor and set a date for a special election. However, the mayor has repeatedly insisted that he will not do so.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the Department of Justice, FBI, IRS, and the city Department of Investigation all have investigations into Adams, though in most cases it isn’t clear what crimes they are focusing on.
Investigations and accusations of corruption have plagued Adams since November 2023, when the FBI raided the homes of two of his associates. Numerous close associates have since been investigated, raided, and arrested, some as recently as this month, presenting a chaotic image of his administration.
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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) became the most prominent Democrat to call on Adams to resign ahead of the report. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) declined to do the same.
Adams’s phone and iPad were seized in November, one of the first indications of a major investigation. In July, the mayor was served two grand jury subpoenas. The past month has seen a slew of new revelations, raids, and resignations.
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