The Department of Justice (DOJ) under President Donald Trump is reportedly in talks with Manhattan prosecutors about dropping the criminal case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Adams, a Democrat, is facing a five-count bribery indictment. He pleaded not guilty in September and has called the charges political retribution by the Biden administration.
“According to sources, Trump has considered pardoning Adams, but dropping the case entirely would eliminate the need for a trial.”
The decision could benefit Adams as he faces a tough reelection campaign, with the Democratic primary scheduled for June 24, 2025.
Adams has made efforts to build a relationship with Trump. He has avoided criticizing the president, attended his inauguration, and even traveled to Florida for meetings near Mar-a-Lago. He has stated that his outreach to Trump is about fostering cooperation, not avoiding prosecution.
The Southern District of New York, which is handling the case, has not commented on the discussions. The DOJ regularly communicates with Manhattan prosecutors about high-profile cases, but the timing of this case is unusual. Trump is in the middle of restructuring the DOJ, and his nominee for Manhattan U.S. Attorney has not yet been confirmed.
Legal experts note that dropping such a prominent case would be highly unusual. Last week, interim U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon strongly rejected Adams’ claims of political persecution, signaling that prosecutors initially planned to pursue the case aggressively.
Adams has largely stayed out of the public eye recently, citing an illness, but he has met privately with labor leaders and other key figures in his reelection campaign. He is expected to return to public events later this week.
Critics argue that if the DOJ drops the case, it could raise concerns about political influence in legal decisions. Supporters of Adams say he has been unfairly targeted and that the charges should never have been filed.
As Trump continues to reshape federal agencies, the outcome of this case will be closely watched. Whether the DOJ proceeds with prosecution or drops the charges could have lasting political and legal implications.
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