A week after his federal corruption case was dropped, New York City Mayor Eric Adams swapped his usual suit for a white T-shirt featuring an American flag and the words “In God We Trust” at his weekly press conference on Tuesday.
The indictment was dropped on April 2 with prejudice, leaving the mayor free from the charges once and for all.
“I'm standing in front of you because of my faith in all those New Yorkers who are going through difficult times. Lean into your faith, because that is your answer,” said Adams. "This outfit is not campaigning. This outfit is my life and God we trust. I went through hell for 15 months and all I had was God, you know."
The two others charged in relation to Adams’s case, Erden Arken and Mohamed Bahi, have pleaded guilty and face possible conviction. Throughout the investigation, the mayor had stated he was innocent and did nothing wrong.
“I think it's a level of hypocrisy when you have those who want to accuse me of something and yet they spend their entire lives talking about justice… My life has been criminal justice reform, and I'm always going to fight for criminal justice reform,” said Adams.
Through a difficult 15-month-period, the mayor said he tried to focus on making the city safer and more affordable. The city has gone through five straight quarters with a continuous decrease in crime, as well as decreases in six out of seven major crime categories, he said.
The mayor also noted that minimum wage for app-based delivery workers was now $21.44. Before Adams went into office, the original pay rate was $5.39 an hour. The wage increase allows for working class New Yorkers, some who are undocumented immigrants, to afford the growing costs of the city, he said.
With the Trump administration trying to claw back millions in federal funding that was allocated and used for migrant care, Adams said the city will look into legal recourse to keep the money.
“We are fighting for that $200 million," he said. "We were very clear. We believe that $200 million belongs to us."
Allocated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Trump administration already removed $80 million from city coffers in February, while FEMA on Tuesday said the city should give back another $106 million.
"We're going to fight for every penny. No matter what it is, this should not be carried on the backs of taxpayers,” said Adams.
Meanwhile, the mayor addressed how he will now run as an Independent in the November mayoral election. Much like in his campaign video, Adams said his campaign platform works on the needs of the working people.
“I'm going to appeal to my working class base with working class values. I'm consistent… Those who have covered me throughout my life would tell you, this is the same guy,” said Adams.
Adams stated that partisan politics doesn't provide for the realities of working New Yorkers, but instead causes division.
“I'm connected to real New Yorkers and I know their pains. I know what they're going through because I've gone through that. And so when I speak to those issues, when I'm willing to criticize no matter who your party is. You know, I took a pledge to the flag. I didn't take a pledge to a party,” said Adams.
With Adams now out of the Democratic primary election in June, he stated he doesn’t see any real competitors come November.
“I don't have to run from my record. I can run on a record and that's a great feeling. And so whoever comes out of that cloud of individuals. I'll see them in November,” said Adams.
