Elected officials from the borough reacted in rapid response to the news that New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a Brooklyn native, was indicted Wednesday on federal charges. Those on the national stage were more muted in their response, while many local politicians called for the mayor to resign.
Adams was indicted on federal charges of bribery, fraud and soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations. The indictment, unsealed on Thursday morning, said the charges go back to when he was Brooklyn Borough President.
At a news conference in front of Gracie Mansion on mid-morning Thursday, the mayor said he will not resign.
“My day to day will not change,” he said. “I ask New Yorkers to wait and hear our defense before making any judgments.”
Governor Kathy Hochul, who has the power to remove Adams from office, said Thursday was "an extraordinarily difficult day for New York City."
“Our judicial system is based on the foundational principle that all of us are presumed innocent until proven otherwise. Yet those of us who have chosen a career in elected office know that we're held to a higher standard. Given the responsibilities we hold as public servants, that's entirely appropriate. While I review my options and obligations as the Governor of New York, I expect the mayor to take the next few days to review the situation and find an appropriate path forward to ensure the people of New York City are being well-served by their leaders," she said.
New York Attorney General Letitia James said public servants have a responsibility to represent the people and their interests, and "we must hold ourselves to the highest standards every single day."
"The allegations outlined in the indictment are serious and troubling. The foundation of our justice system presumes that everyone is innocent until proven guilty, and we will continue to follow the facts of this case as they become available. I am focused on working with my fellow leaders to ensure our city continues to operate for all New Yorkers who depend on it," she said.
The following are statements from elected officials who represent Brooklyn. Some were issued from their respective media representatives or posted on social media:
Congressman Chuck Schumer, NY- 9th District (Covering parts of Cown Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Flatbush, Midwood, Kensington)
No one is above the law, including the Mayor of New York City. The charges are serious, and the legal process should now play out speedily and fairly.
Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, NY- 8th District (Covering parts of Bedford Stuyvesant, Brownsville, East New York, New Lots, Canarsie, Georgetown, Bergen Beach, Marine Park, Gravesend, Coney Island)
The indictment of a sitting mayor is a serious and sober moment for New York City. Like every other New Yorker and American, Eric Adams is entitled to the presumption of innocence. That principle is central to the administration of justice in the United States of America.
A jury of the Mayor’s peers will now evaluate the charges in the indictment and ultimately render a determination. In the meantime, I pray for the well-being of our great city.
Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, NY- 9th District (Covering parts of Prospect Lefferts Gardens, East Flatbush, Kensington, Prospect Park South, Midwood, Flatbush)
Today marks a solemn chapter in the history of New York City. In time, Mayor Adams will confront a jury of his peers. As we ready for their verdict, we must not fail to remember that every American, from working people to public officials, are entitled to the presumption of their innocence when accused of wrongdoing. And so, I pray the Mayor faces a fair trial, and I pray its judgment is centered in justice.
New Yorkers are defined by our resilience and ability to persevere through any obstacle that has come our way. I am certain that, like all the rest, this too shall pass.
Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, NY-11th District (Parts of Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bath Beach, Staten Island)
Mayor Adams has failed our city, has broken the public trust and should resign or be removed by Governor Hochul. Our city is suffering greatly, taxpayers deserve better and we need to restore a functioning city government as soon as possible.
Brooklyn Democratic Party Chair and State Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, NY Assembly District 42 (Covering parts of Ditmas Park, Flatbush, East Flatbush and Midwood.
Our laws mandate due process. An indictment is not a conviction. Every American, every New Yorker, is innocent unless proven otherwise. Those principles of fairness are meant to apply to all cases and all settings. They are enshrined in the Consitition of this nation and this state. Eric Adams has dedicated his life to this city. As a police officer, he put himself in danger to protect others. As our elected mayor, he fought to imporve our lives. Fairness demands simply that Mayor Adams is given what each of us would want: a presumption of innocense.
State Senator Zellnor Myrie, NY District 20 (Covering parts of Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens)
This is a sad day for the city, and especially painful for so many Black New Yorkers who put our hope and faith in this mayor.
We live in the greatest city in the world — and the mayor must be fully focused on delivering for the millions who call it home. Many like my parents come here in search of opportunity; others like myself are born and raised by this vibrant city. Each New Yorker deserves a mayor who is dedicated to serving our communities, and who upholds the dignity and integrity this office requires.
We need a leader who is fully focused, without distraction, on the enormous challenges we face — from housing affordability to public safety. A mayor under the weight of a serious indictment can no longer do that — and today I am calling on him to resign."
State Senator Iwen Chu, NY District 17 (Covering parts of Sunset Park, Borough Park, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach)
Our city needs effective, transparent leadership that is responsive to the urgent needs of its people. Today’s indictment—after months of investigations—raises serious concerns about Mayor Adams’s ability to fulfill those responsibilities.
The indictment of Mayor Adams, the first in our city’s history for a sitting mayor, is deeply troubling. While the Mayor is innocent until proven guilty, the city deserves a leader who can retain trust and focus fully, without distraction, on the issues impacting New Yorkers.
For the benefit of all New Yorkers, and to spare the city from further disruption, Mayor Adams must immediately resign and allow for real leadership to move us forward.
It is federal officials’ obligation to prove their case, and it is the mayor’s obligation to prove to New Yorkers that there is a real plan and path to govern the city effectively and regain trust, and his time to show that plan is rapidly running out.
As the Public Advocate, my role is to fight for the transparency, accountability, and governance that New Yorkers deserve. In a moment of intense turmoil, I am committed to working with my fellow elected officials and the many thousands of incredibly dedicated public servants to ensure our city continues to operate in any eventuality.
The mayor cannot lead this city, nor can he in good faith ask the public to put their trust in him. I ask the mayor to put New Yorkers first and resign.
City Council Member Chi Ossé, District 36 (Covering parts of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Crown Heights)
Eric Adams needs to resign as mayor of New York City. I'm literally recording this video in the middle of the night. Because Adams was just indicted on several dozen federal counts. This was just after the Feds just raided half of his top aides. And many more resigned. This started with a corruption probe into his campaign. But now, half the city's leadership is out of commission. I'm not going to lie, they look guilty. But more importantly, no one is running our city right now. Our schools, healthcare, police and more have no leadership. This city of nine million people needs someone steering the ship. And now its clear; it cannot be corrupt cop Eric Adams. (Via a video posted on X on Sept. 25)
City Council Member Crystal Hudson, District 35 (Covering parts of Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights)
The more than eight million New Yorkers in our city need a leader who can focus on building housing, cleaning our streets, educating our children, and keeping our communities safe. This mayor will have only one focus as this indictment plays out, one that will single handedly inhibit his ability to govern. We deserve better. He must resign immediately.
Thousands of public servants - including myself - wake up every day ready to serve. That work doesn't stop. In spite of the chaos at City Hall, my colleagues in the City Council and I are ready, and prepared, to continue working for New Yorkers.
City Council Member Chris Banks, District 42 (Covering parts of East New York, Spring Creek-Starrett City, Brownsville, East Flatbush, Remsen Village, Canarsie)
The charges outlined in the unsealing this morning of the indictment of Mayor Eric Adams by the Southern District of New York, are hugely disappointing, troubling, and extremely concerning. As this comes on the heels of additional device confiscations this morning, recent raids and investigations of several high level representatives of the administration, and the recent resignations of several commissioners and senior staff in the Adams administration, we are watching a true tragedy play out in real time.
As a government official, our first responsibility is to earn and secure the public's trust. While we are all innocent until proven guilty, the five counts outlined in this indictment represent a serious violation of the public trust of New Yorkers.
As such, I have no confidence in the mayor's ability to effectively run city government while addressing the charges against him, and I strongly believe that in the best interest of the city, Mayor Adams should resign.
City Council Member Sandy Nurse, District 37 (Covering parts of Bushwick, Brownsville, Cypress Hills, East New York)
Mayor Adams ran on a "law and order" platform. Throughout his tenure, he never missed a chance to attack progressives and the Left, accusing us of being unserious about community safety and crime. Meanwhile, his administration has been nothing but a mess of corruption, deceit and dysfunction.
It is impossible to govern a city effectively amidst a constant stream of resignations, scandals and now indictments. And with the looming threat of another Trump presidency–which would be catastrophic for New York City– we need leadership that is strong, honest and focused on solving our city's most intractable problems. Above all, we need an executive that puts the city above him and his friends.
New Yorkers have had enough of politicians abusing their positions. We deserve better, which is why Mayor Adams should step down.
City Council Member Shahana Hanif, District 39 (Covering parts of Kensington, Borough Park, Windsor Terrace, Park Slope, Gowanus, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill, and the Columbia Waterfront)
Today marks a troubling moment for NYC, as the mayor has been federally indicted for the first time in history. New Yorkers deserve stable leadership, not constant chaos and turnover. I stand with my colleagues in calling for his immediate resignation.
City Council Member Lincoln Restler, District 33 (Covering parts of Greenpoint, Northside Williamsburg, South Williamsburg, Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, DUMBO, Boerum Hill, Vinegar Hill, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn Navy Yard)
The mayor must resign. No mayor can serve our city under criminal indictment. The only responsible course for New York City is for Mayor Eric Adams to step down. If he refuses, he must be removed from office as prescribed by the charter. New Yorkers deserve so much better.
The mismanagement, dysfunction and cronyism from City Hall have been evident for far too long. The people of New York City deserve a government that can rise to the challenges our city faces and competently deliver the bold changes we need.
