New York Mayor Eric Adams speculated that he had incurred the ire of the Justice Department after speaking out against the Biden administration's immigration policies.
adams is Indicted by a federal grand jury In September, he faced five charges, including bribery, soliciting campaign contributions from foreigners, wire fraud and conspiracy. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
"I'm not breaking the law. I'm not doing anything wrong - this is how I live my life. This is how I will continue to live my life," Adams said in an interview with the Fox News anchor on Wednesday. In "Story".
FBI raids home of top aide to New York Mayor Eric Adams
New York City Mayor Eric Adams speaks during his weekly live press conference in the Blue Room of New York City Hall on March 5, 2024, alongside Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright ( Left) and consultant Ingrid Lewis-Martin. (Luiz C. Ribeiro/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
He claimed the timing of the prosecution was "clearly questionable" and vowed to continue fighting for what he believed was right.
Damian Williams, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said in a court statement Time of publication of indictment Adams “abused his position as the city’s top elected official, and previously as Brooklyn Borough President, by accepting bribes and soliciting illegal campaign contributions.”
"Adams allegedly obtained improper and illegal benefits from foreigners, including allowing a Manhattan skyscraper to open without a fire inspection," the interests of his benefactorincluding a foreign official, over their constituents," the statement read in part.
At a press conference, Mayor Adams announced new limits on the length of stay of adult immigrant/asylum seekers in city shelters, to a maximum of 60 days. (Luiz C. Ribeiro, New York Daily News via Getty Images)
McCallum asks New York mayor if he's worried about what FBI might find in investigation after his top adviser resigned earlier this week There are reports that she will face criminal charges.
"No," Adams said shortly. "They all have attorneys. I don't want to do anything to jeopardize their cases, but I tell my team, and I do, that we follow the law. This is about following the law. I didn't spend 22 years as a police officer, enforcing the law. It's to break the law.
In October, a former assistant to Adams was charged with witness tampering and destroying evidence. He allegedly deleted Signal, an encrypted messaging app from his phone, was reportedly used to communicate with the mayor.
President-elect Donald Trump said he would consider pardoning Adams after being asked by reporters at a Mar-a-Lago news conference earlier this week.
"Yes, I think he was treated quite unfairly. Now, I haven't seen the severity of it all, but it looks like, you know, like an upgrade on the plane years ago," Trump said.
Most New York residents want indicted Mayor Eric Adams to resign: poll
Adams said he did not ask for a pardon from the incoming 47th president, and during their conversation they only talked about their love for New York and how they could work together.
President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport upon arrival in Austin, Texas, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
"I'm working with the president and his administration, not at war with him. I say this over and over again. My attorney is an excellent attorney. He will handle every avenue pursuit of justice. I should not be charged," Adams insisted.
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"No American should have to go through what I'm going through now. This country believes in fairness, and what I experienced was not only a professional tragedy, but a personal tragedy."