In a major legal twist, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered federal prosecutors to dismiss corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The decision, announced on February 10, 2025, comes as Adams seeks reelection and as the Trump administration continues to prioritize law-and-order policies, particularly on immigration enforcement.
According to the Associated Press, a two-page memo obtained by the outlet revealed that acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove directed prosecutors in New York to “dismiss” the bribery charges against Adams immediately. Bove clarified that the decision was not a reflection of the strength of evidence against Adams but was instead motivated by concerns that the case was brought too close to his reelection campaign and was interfering with his ability to support the Trump administration’s law-and-order initiatives.
Adams was originally indicted in September 2024 on multiple charges, including bribery, wire fraud, conspiracy, and soliciting illegal campaign contributions. Federal prosecutors alleged that he accepted luxury travel and other benefits from Turkish nationals in exchange for political favors, such as expediting the opening of a Turkish consular building without proper fire inspections. Despite the DOJ’s dismissal, the move was made without prejudice, meaning prosecutors could refile the case in the future.
Trump: “I Would Consider a Pardon”
When asked about the DOJ’s decision, President Donald Trump signaled that he would consider pardoning Adams if necessary.
“Yeah, I would. I think that he was treated pretty unfairly,” Trump said. “Now, I haven’t seen the gravity of it all, but it seems, you know, like being upgraded in an airplane many years ago. Probably everybody here has been upgraded. They see you’re all stars, and they say, ‘I want to upgrade that person from NBC, I’m going to upgrade him.’ And that would mean you’ll spend the rest of your life in prison? I don’t know, somehow, I hope not.”
Trump also suggested that Adams’ indictment may have been politically motivated, pointing to his vocal criticism of the Biden administration’s handling of the migrant crisis.
“It’s very interesting when he essentially went against what was happening with the migrants coming in, and, you know, he made some pretty strong statements like, ‘This is not sustainable.’ I said, ‘You know what? He’ll be indicted soon.’ And I said it not as a prediction, a little bit light-heartedly, but I said it. I said, ‘He’s going to be indicted,’ and a few months later, he got indicted. So, yeah, I would certainly look at it.”
Adams’ Response & Political Ramifications
Mayor Adams has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and has framed the allegations as politically motivated. Following the DOJ’s decision, he issued a measured response, stating that he needed more information and would consult with his legal team before making further comments.
The dismissal of charges has sparked concerns about political interference in federal prosecutions. Critics argue that dropping the case at this stage raises questions about prosecutorial independence and could set a troubling precedent regarding how and when high-profile legal cases are handled.
With Adams vying for reelection in November 2025, the legal and political fallout from this case is far from over. The possibility of refiled charges—or even a presidential pardon—adds another layer of uncertainty to what has already been a contentious chapter in New York politics.
