New York City Mayor Eric Adams attended the inauguration of Donald Trump in Washington D.C. on Monday after receiving a last-minute invitation, cancelling his planned attendance at two Martin Luther King Day events in New York.
"In the early hours of Monday morning, the Trump administration reached out inviting Mayor Adams to attend the inauguration at the incoming administration’s request. Mayor Adams accepted on behalf of New York City," Fabien Levy, the deputy mayor of communications, said on X. "As the mayor has repeatedly said, America has chosen a new national leader and we must work together to build a safer, stronger and more affordable in New York City."
The mayor cancelled his planned appearances, first at the annual Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Brooklyn Academy of Music and at the Convent Avenue Baptist Church in Harlem.
"Inauguration Day is a sacred American tradition. Our country has been through so much, and every president has the honor and responsibility to protect and lead the American people," the mayor said on X. "On MLK Day, like Reverend Dr. King said, we must put partisan politics aside to do what's best for our country. I believe there's much we can achieve working alongside the federal government as we support our city's values and fight for New Yorkers."
Adams, whose friendly relationship with Trump has fueled speculation that he is seeking a pardon from the president as he faces federal fraud charges, was seated in the overflow area rather than the main rotunda where the inauguration took place, the New York Daily News reported.
Many local Democrats were appalled with the mayor's decision.
“Imagine if Mayor Adams applied the same focus to making our city safer and bringing down our cost of living as he does to getting himself a pardon,” said New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, who is also running for mayor.
New Yorkers deserve a mayor who "puts our city’s wellbeing above his own exoneration," said state senator Zellnor Myrie, who is also running to unseat Adams in the June primary election.
“Now is not the time to compromise our values," he said.
