NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – The federal judge overseeing Mayor Eric Adams’ corruption case declined to immediately dismiss the charges Friday, but he adjourned the trial indefinitely and appointed an attorney to examine the Department of Justice's rationale for moving to drop the case.
In his order, Judge Dale E. Ho wrote in part, “In light of the Government’s motion and the representations of the parties during the conference, it is clear that trial in this matter will not go forward on April 21.”
The judge adjourned the trial and pretrial schedule indefinitely, according to the order.
Ho appointed a prominent attorney and former U.S. solicitor general, Paul Clement, to review the DOJ's reasoning for wanting to dismiss the case.
Clement will be tasked with reviewing the legal standard for dismissal, and under the circumstances of Adams’ case.
Both the DOJ and Adams’ lawyers argued before the judge on Wednesday, agreeing that the charges and the trial would hinder the mayor’s ability to do his job and help the Trump administration.
There have been calls for Adams' resignation in recent days from a number of local and state elected officials, who say the dismissal of the mayor's case is contingent on his cooperation with President Donald Trump’s deportation agenda.
Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has faced pressure to use her power to remove Adams, has so far declined to do so. At a Thursday press conference, the governor said she would propose legislation to install new guardrails around City Hall to begin “reestablishing trust” with the public. She said it was up for voters to decide whether they want to remove Adams in this year's election.
The moves by Ho and Hochul put Adams in a sort of legal and political purgatory. He'll face new oversight from Albany as the potential for his criminal case to resume looms overhead—all while he vies for reelection this year.