NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — The Department of Justice reached out to federal prosecutors in Manhattan on Monday and ordered them to drop corruption charges against Mayor Eric Adams, citing the challenges prosecution has posed for the mayor's 2025 reelection campaign and its impact on his ability to address illegal immigration and crime.
"You are directed, as authorized by the Attorney General, to dismiss the pending charges in United States v. Adams ... as soon as practicable," acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove wrote in a memo to prosecutors.
The order came with three stipulations: Adams agree in writing to dismissal without prejudice, Adams agree in writing that he is not a prevailing party under the Hyde Amendment and that the U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York review the case after the November 2025 mayoral election.
It is yet unclear how U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon will respond to the order. The southern district brought a five-count indictment against Adams in September, charging him with wire fraud, bribery and conspiracy for allegedly receiving illegal campaign donations and luxury travel accommodations from foreign nationals in exchange for political favors and influence. The mayor has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
1010 WINS has reached out to the DOJ and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for comment.
The order states that the DOJ did not assess "the strength of the evidence or the legal theories on which the case is based."
The memo instead says that it was motivated by recent public actions of former U.S. Attorney Damian William that increased "prejudicial pretrial publicity that risks impacting potential witnesses and the jury pool."
Bove said that the prosecution has also restricted Adams' ability to devote his full attention and resources to addressing illegal immigration and violent crime in New York City "that escalated under the policies of the prior administration."
Despite the DOJ's admittance that it has not evaluated the legal facts of the case, Adams' attorney Alex Spiro stated that the determination it "should not go forward" is for good reason.
"The facts of the case are clear: the mayor never used his official position for personal benefit. Nor did he have any role in violating campaign finance laws. Despite a lot of fanfare and sensational claims, ultimately there was no evidence presented that he broke any laws, ever," Spiro said. "The witnesses that were promised never materialized. The additional charges that were threatened never came. Now, thankfully, the mayor and New York can put this unfortunate and misguided prosecution behind them.”
The Justice Department's intervention and reasoning for intervention is a deviation from the agency's norms, which typically afford independence to federal prosecutors.
The move came after months of speculation that President Donald Trump would work to halt the criminal case against Adams. The mayor has consistently stated his innocence and claimed that he was politically targeted for his vocal criticism of the Biden administration's handling of migrants.
“I know what it’s like to be persecuted by the DOJ, for speaking out against open borders,” Trump said in October at a Manhattan event attended by Adams. “We were persecuted, Eric. I was persecuted, and so are you, Eric.”
At a press conference in December, Trump said that he would consider looking at a pardon for Adams, stating that "I think that he was treated pretty unfairly."
One month later, on Jan. 17, Adams met with the president at Trump International Gold Club in Florida. The mayor said he and Trump did not discuss his legal woes, but instead talked about the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas and its implications for public safety in the nation, manufacturing jobs in the Bronx and federal investments in infrastructure in the city.
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams released an open letter to over 300,000 city employees on Monday criticizing Adams for his relationship to Trump, his recent directive that city workers allow ICE into sensitive locations "when reasonably threatened" and his urging of city officials to avoid criticizing the Trump administration, which he said could jeopardize federal funding for the city.
"Donald Trump is not the mayor of New York City. City workers do not take orders from him—well, except perhaps one specific city employee, up in Gracie Mansion," Williams wrote. "So I want you to know that there are citywide and other elected leaders who see you and acknowledge your concern and courage in the face of confusing and frustrating directives come from City Hall."