The Department of Justice (DOJ) has instructed federal prosecutors to dismiss corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, asserting that the legal action hinders his ability to support President Donald J. Trump’s illegal immigration crackdown. Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove is ordering an immediate end to the bribery case against the Democrat mayor.
Bove emphasizes that the decision to drop the charges is not motivated by any perceived weakness in the case but by its timing—coming too close to Adams’ reelection campaign—and its impact on his capacity to address administration priorities. “The pending prosecution has unduly restricted Mayor Adams’ ability to devote full attention and resources to illegal immigration and violent crime,” Bove wrote.
The memo instructs New York prosecutors to halt any additional investigative actions against Adams until after the November mayoral election. However, it leaves the door ajar for potential charges to be refiled post-election.
Adams’s attorney, Alex Spiro, hailed the decision as a vindication. “Now, thankfully, the mayor and New York can put this unfortunate and misguided prosecution behind them,” Spiro suggested.
The charges against Adams, filed in September, accused him of accepting illegal campaign contributions and luxury travel perks exceeding $100,000—such as flight upgrades, opulent hotel stays, and a bathhouse visit—while he served as Brooklyn Borough President. Prosecutors alleged that a Turkish official who facilitated these trips later pressured Adams to influence the Fire Department to approve a new diplomatic building’s opening for a visit by Turkey’s president.
It was also alleged that Adams directed campaign staff to solicit and disguise foreign donations to exploit a city program matching small contributions with public funds, violating federal laws prohibiting foreign contributions to U.S. campaigns.
