On Wednesday, (April 2), a federal judge dismissed New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ corruption case, agreeing “it was the only practical outcome”, the Associate Press reports.
In his ruling, Judge Dale E. Ho claimed that the Justice Department posited a “troubling” rationale for attempting to throw out the case, claiming that the mayor would help President Donald Trump with his immigration policies in New York.
Ho also will not allow prosecutors to refile the charges following the mayoral election but dismissed the case “with prejudice” which “spares Adams from having to govern in a way that pleases Trump or potentially risk having the Republican’s Justice Department revive the charges.”
“Everything here smacks of a bargain: dismissal of the indictment in exchange for immigration policy concessions,” Ho wrote.
“Dismissing the case without prejudice would create the unavoidable perception that the mayor’s freedom depends on his ability to carry out the immigration enforcement priorities of the administration and that he might be more beholden to the demands of the federal government than to the wishes of his own constituents,” the judge wrote.
After the ruling, Adams praised the judge’s decision as he gave remarks outside the mayoral residence.
“As I said all along, this case never should have been brought, and I did nothing wrong,” he said.
“I have always been solely beholden to the people of this city,” the mayor continued. “No special interests, no political opponents, but just everyday New Yorkers, just you.”
When asked about his odds for reelection, Adams said bluntly: “I’m gonna win.”
Adams was also seen holding up a copy of FBI Director Kash Patel’s 2023 book “Government Gangsters.” He encouraged people to read the book which alleged a “sinister cabal” at the heart of government.
In a statement, the DOJ said that Adams’ case had been “an example of political weaponization and a waste of resources.”
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