Adams faces increasing calls for his resignation from NYC Democrats following federal charges

Controversial New York Mayor Eric Adams is facing increasing calls from local politicians to resign after he was indicted by a grand jury on Wednesday night as part of a federal investigation into his mayoral campaign and time in office.

Several senior members of Adams' campaign have already resigned amid the chaos at City Hall following several federal raids on officials' homes earlier this month, raising doubts about Adams' ability to lead the Big Apple going forward while he wrestles with legal troubles.

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander said Wednesday was “a sad day for New Yorkers” after news of the indictment broke and that “the best way forward” is for Adams to resign.

“Mayor Adams, like all New Yorkers, is entitled to due process, the presumption of innocence and a day in court. However, it is clear that defending himself against serious federal charges will require a significant amount of the time and attention required to govern this great city,” he added.

Lander, who is seeking to run against Adams in 2025, was one of at least 24 city, state and federal politicians who had called on Adams to resign by Wednesday evening – most of them fellow Democrats.

Former city treasurer, Manhattan borough president and mayoral candidate Scott Stringer said the mayor should resign so other leaders can “focus on city affairs.”

“His fight is not our fight,” Stringer said.

Several City Council members have called for his resignation, including Tiffany Caban (D-Queens), Alexa Aviles (D-Brooklyn), Shekar Krishnan (D-Queens), Lincoln Restler (D-Brooklyn), Chris Banks (D-Brooklyn) and Bob Holden (D-Queens).

Eric Adams Charges: Live Updates After NYC Mayor Charged With Murder

“There is no possibility [Adams] can lead effectively despite this dark cloud. Given the challenges facing our city, he must resign for the good of New Yorkers,” said Holden, a moderate politician.

However, City Councilman Oswald Feliz (D-Bronx) told the Post that he was “not ready yet” to call on the mayor to resign.

City Councilman Joe Borelli (R-Staten Island) declined to comment on the charges but said he would run for office if the mayor resigns.

New York State Assembly members Phara Souffrant Forrest (D-Brooklyn), Emily Gallagher (D-Brooklyn), Danny O'Connel (D-Manhattan), Jessica González-Rojas (D-Queens), Tony Simone (D-Manhattan), Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan) and mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani (D-Queens) have also called for Adams' ouster.

“Eric Adams must resign. Even before this indictment, he has completely failed to address the crushing cost of living crisis that is driving working families out of our city. In fact, he has only made it worse,” Mamdani said.

State Senators Julia Salazar (D-Brooklyn), Gustavo Rivera (D-Brooklyn), Jabari Brisport (D-Brooklyn), Zellnor Myrie (D-Brooklyn), Brad Holyman-Sigel (D-Manhattan) and John Liu (D-Queens) also joined the chorus calling for the mayor to resign.

Democratic U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio Cortez of New York was the highest-ranking Democrat to call for Adams' resignation “for the good of the city,” just hours before it was announced that charges had been brought against him.

Adams is the first sitting mayor of New York City to be impeached.

He called for “an immediate trial so that New Yorkers can know the truth,” he told the Post.

Adams said he was targeted by federal authorities because he stood up for New Yorkers and vowed to “fight this with all my strength and soul.”