New York Governor Weighs Removing NYC Mayor Adams

More from the article...

... Hochul, a Democrat, said she will convene a meeting of key leaders Tuesday in Manhattan "for a conversation about the path forward." She said the departures of First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer and other top officials raise "serious questions about the long-term future" of Adams' administration.

Adams, also a Democrat, has been under increasing scrutiny since the Justice Department's second-in-command ordered federal prosecutors in Manhattan last week to drop his corruption case to ensure his cooperation in Republican President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown -- raising questions about the mayor's political independence and ability to lead the city. ...

"I recognize the immense responsibility I hold as governor and the constitutional powers granted to this office," Hochul said in a statement. "In the 235 years of New York State history, these powers have never been utilized to remove a duly-elected mayor; overturning the will of the voters is a serious step that should not be taken lightly. That said, the alleged conduct at City Hall that has been reported over the past two weeks is troubling and cannot be ignored." ...

In their memo to staff announcing their exits, Torres-Springer, Joshi and Williams-Isom wrote: "Due to the extraordinary events of the last few weeks and to stay faithful to the oaths we swore to New Yorkers and our families, we have come to the difficult decision to step down from our roles." ...

@#3 ... Tough call in some respects. ...

I'd agree it was a tough call, that is, until the four Deputy mayors resigned yesterday, citing an obligation to the oaths they took.

That makes me ask, what was Mayor Adams instructing them to do to cause those resignations for the reason cited?

Now, I'd say, the decision to remove may have gotten easier.

@#6

I dunno.

@#8

No prob.

imo, this is just the beginning of this story.

If Mayor Adams does not step down on his own, then I see one of two things happening...

- Gov Hochul removes him from the Office.

- or -

- the DoJ goes before the Court, and the Judge agrees to drop the charges. In this case, I suspect there may be a hearing with some questioning by the Judge of the DoJ regarding the validity of the reasons for dropping the charges.

Wildcard ---

If Mayor Adams does step down, do the charges reappear?

@#9 ... the DoJ goes before the Court, and the Judge agrees to drop the charges. In this case, I suspect there may be a hearing with some questioning by the Judge of the DoJ ...

I just saw on local NYC news that the hearing is currently scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday).

Here's the article for what I saw ...

Gov. Kathy Hochul weighs Mayor Eric Adams options in series of high-level meetings
abc7ny.com

... Governor Kathy Hochul, who has the power to remove Mayor Eric Adams from office, met Tuesday with key leaders as she considers the mayor's future.

It comes as Adams and prosecutors with Trump's Justice Department plan to appear before a judge in New York City on Wednesday to explain why they believe federal bribery charges should be dropped.

Council Speaker Adrienne Adams has already called on Mayor Adams to resign. So has Comptroller Brad Lander. Both were among many of the city's most prominent leaders meeting with Hochul on Tuesday.

Rev. Al Sharpton says Hochul has a fateful decision to make.

"My feeling is that the faith of the city, of the people, has been shaken and there needs to be a resolve," Sharpton said. "But at the same time, we must protect the law and not establish a precedent that could come back to haunt us."

The governor has the power to remove a mayor, but it's never been done before. But the Adams Administration is now in turmoil after the resignations of his deputy mayor for operations, his deputy mayor for health and human services, his deputy mayor for public safety and his first deputy mayor, his top lieutenant. ...

@#13

I have to say, this is likely one of the very few times I have agreed with something Rev Sharpton has said.

#11 ... "My feeling is that the faith of the city, of the people, has been shaken and there needs to be a resolve," Sharpton said. "But at the same time, we must protect the law and not establish a precedent that could come back to haunt us." ...

@#23

Good summary of the current situation.

An update ...

Gov. Kathy Hochul won't remove embattled NYC Mayor Eric Adams -- for now
www.nbcnews.com

... New York Gov. Kathy Hochul will -- for the time being -- not remove embattled New York City Mayor Eric Adams from office, but will instead impose limits on his power, a source with direct knowledge told NBC News on Thursday.

Hochul in recent weeks has been pressured to exercise her power to remove Adams from City Hall after the mayor's indictment last year on a host of corruption allegations.

Calls to remove Adams from office have intensified after the Trump administration moved to drop all charges against the mayor and told him he needs to help federal authorities carry out immigration raids. That raised allegations from New York Democrats of a "quid pro quo" arrangement, making Adams allegedly beholden to Trump.

The governor is expected to announce late Thursday afternoon that her plans to limit mayoral authority will include installation of a deputy inspector general to oversee him, a source with direct knowledge told NBC News.

That move would require action by the state lawmakers in Albany and possibly the New York City Council. ...