Eric Adams investigation: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez calls on New York mayor to resign as federal authorities investigate government

NEW YORK CITY (WABC) — Even before the breaking news on Wednesday evening that New York Mayor Eric Adams had been charged in a federal corruption case, according to sources familiar with the matter, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called on Adams to resign.

In a statement released on X on Wednesday, Ocasio-Cortez said, “I do not see how Mayor Adams can continue to govern New York City,” amid a wave of resignations and investigations into the upper echelons of his administration.

“The flood of resignations and vacancies threatens the work of the government,” she said. “The continuous investigations will make it impossible to recruit and retain a qualified administration. For the good of the city, he should resign.”

Mayor Adams responded to Ocasio-Cortez by saying, “For someone who self-righteously claims that people accused of serious crimes should not be in prison to now say, based on rumors and insinuations, that the second black mayor of New York should resign – without a single charge being filed – is the height of hypocrisy.”

Adams added that he will “lead this city to protect it from exactly this kind of sham politics” and said he will “stay and fight for the people of the city” “no matter what.”

After State Senator John Liu learned of the charges, he called on Adams to resign.

“However, the people of New York City need a mayor who can devote all of his time and energy to getting the city on the right track, including attracting and retaining top leaders for the city. Mayor Adams is simply not able to do that in the foreseeable future and therefore must resign immediately for the good of all New Yorkers,” Liu said.

Several members of the New York City Council joined the calls for his resignation.

“New Yorkers deserve better than the chaos and corruption they are experiencing in our city government. Our children, our families, our neighbors deserve better,” said New York City Council member Shekar Krishnan. “Mayor Adams has already proven that he is unfit and incapable of leading from City Hall. He will absolutely not be able to lead from a courtroom. He must resign.”

Council member Robert Holden said this was a sad day for the city.

“Although he is presumed innocent until proven guilty, he cannot govern effectively with this shadow hanging over him. Given the challenges facing our city, he must resign for the good of New Yorkers,” he said.

The mayoral candidates are also calling on Adams to resign.

“The mayor must resign for the good of the city. His legal battle is not our battle,” said Scott Stringer.

Jessica Ramos called the news of the charges “a profound betrayal.”

“The Mayor has a fundamental responsibility to be honest with New Yorkers. That is the first and most important part of his job. That is why we cannot and should not ignore these corruption allegations. A conviction would be a grave abuse of power and a betrayal of voters, taxpayers and working families,” she wrote in a statement.

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander also released a statement calling on Adams to resign.

“Trust in public institutions — especially City Hall — is critical to the functioning of our local democracy and the thriving of our city. The hardworking people of New York City deserve a city government and leadership they can trust. Right now, they don't have that,” Lander said. “The best path forward is for him to resign so New York City can receive the full attention its leadership demands.”

Adams is the first mayor in New York City history to be impeached while in office. If he resigns, he would be replaced by the city's ombudsman, Jumaane Williams, who would then call a special election.

A spokesperson for Jumaane Williams issued a statement saying, “The news of this indictment is incredibly serious in itself. As the facts come to light, the Public Advocate will have more to say to the people of New York City. For now, he is focused on how best to ensure New Yorkers can regain trust, confidence and stability in city government.”

Gov. Kathy Hochul has the power to remove Adams from office. Hochul's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday evening.

New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams reiterated her support for the mayor on Wednesday when asked by Eyewitness News whether she believes he can still govern the city.

“Yes, I do, and I think that's all I want to answer.”

These views were echoed in Washington by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

“Mayor Adams is trying to do his best in one of the toughest jobs in the world – maintaining a focus on the needs of the people of New York City,” Jeffries said.

Mayor Adams is under scrutiny as federal investigators look into donations to his 2021 campaign.

It appears that this investigation is expanding and follows grand jury subpoenas that federal prosecutors served in July to members of his administration, including the mayor.

The mayor turned over his own phones last November as part of a separate federal investigation into whether his 2021 campaign received illegal donations from citizens and government officials in Turkey.

Eyewitness News confirmed that the investigation extends not only to Adams' ties to Turkey, but also to Israel, Qatar, China, South Korea and the former Soviet republic of Uzbekistan – the only one of the six republics that Adams has not visited.

The big question investigators are trying to answer is whether there was a conspiracy with the Turkish government to accept illegal donations from abroad during his 2021 mayoral campaign and whether the fire department was pressured to approve the construction of a new Turkish consulate in a high-rise building despite security concerns.

The list of departures in his administration is also growing longer. Among them is the most recent resignation: David Banks, Chancellor of the New York Schools, announced on Tuesday that he would be resigning at the end of the calendar year.

Banks officially named Melissa Ramos as New York City's next schools chancellor on Wednesday, stressing that this was not his resignation but his retirement.

“First of all, after 40 years, I’m tired,” he said.

Banks was hugged by his fiancée, First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, in what was believed to be their first public appearance together since the FBI seized their cellphones and laptops exactly three weeks ago on Wednesday.

Banks is the fourth government official to offer his resignation this month. Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan announced he would resign at the end of the year, like Banks. Police Commissioner Edward Caban resigned after his phones were seized, and Lisa Zornberg, the mayor's chief counsel, abruptly left her post after sources said her legal advice was ignored.

The scope of the investigation is unprecedented in City Hall's recent history, focusing largely on the NYPD's nightlife policing practices and influence in the awarding of city contracts. The FBI has also seized the electronic devices of David Banks' brother, Deputy Mayor Phil Banks, and a third Banks brother, private consultant Terence Banks, as well as top Adams aide Timothy Pearson.

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