New York City indictment-era Halloween costume inspiration

It’s spooky season in New York, so if you haven’t started thinking about your Halloween costume yet, we got you. Though local politics provides a wealth of potential costumes in any year, the investigations into New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ administration and the soap opera-like departures have given us a lot to work with. We invite you to try these ideas for yourself – all we ask is that you do not follow in Rep. Mike Lawler’s footsteps for your costume ideas.

Eric Adams’ locked cellphone

The feds may not be able to guess the new six-digit code Adams “forgot” before handing it over, but they’ll be able to guess what you’re dressed as.

Jenifer Rajkumar

There is perhaps no state lawmaker more recognizable than Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar, so why not make a nod to the lady in red this Halloween? Those with unlimited resources and an unwavering need to commit to the bit can head to Saks Fifth Avenue to find a number of her signature red dresses. But if you’re in need of a last-minute costume, any red dress (and perhaps a nametag) should do the trick.

Phil Banks’ breath mints

We realize this is a bit of a deep cut, but Phil Banks went for an even deeper cut when he avoided The City reporter Katie Honan’s questions by suggesting she was in need of a mint. A fairly simple costume requiring only a wintergreen top (perhaps with a white long-sleeve underneath), this look is sure to be the perfect Ice Breaker at any Halloween party.

Turkish Airlines flight attendant

With everyone talking about Turkish Airlines, this is the hot new indictment-era costume. They’re often decked out in red, though, so as to avoid confusion with Jenifer Rajkumar’s look, try pairing it with a tray of champagne or other luxury goodies that officials may get if they happen to get upgraded to business class.

Bill de Blasio’s coconut pizza

We never thought we’d say this, but sometimes we miss Bill de Blasio, just a little. He decided to pop back into our lives recently with an … unusual video in which he silently added coconut shavings to a pizza before eating it. Was it a reference to the Kamala Harris coconut meme? A callback to his past criticism for eating pizza with a knife and a fork? The world may never know. But you can spice up that old pizza costume with a fun new twist to impress all your friends.

Box of documents

Pick your poison: Are you a box of documents from the raid on Brianna Suggs’ home, or from the raid on Ingrid Lewis-Martin’s house (or perhaps someone else’s – there’s time for another search by the feds before Halloween)? This is an easy last-minute costume – all you need is a cardboard box large enough to fit around your torso and some string to hang it on your shoulders.

New York City smog

Now that Gov. Kathy Hochul has paused congestion pricing, it turns out that New York City smog isn’t going anywhere. So what better way to celebrate Halloween than alluding to one of the scariest things for New York City drivers: gridlock. This costume could be done two ways: If you’re going solo, throw on all gray and cover yourself in cotton balls. An added exhaust pipe headband would be a nice touch. If you’re hitting the town with friends, shake it up a bit by all dressing as cars, then simply don’t move all night while getting in people’s way.

Ghost of officials’ past

Pour one out for all of those who have departed the Adams administration and embrace your inner Scrooge with this “ghost of officials’ past” look. Take your run-of-the-mill white sheet and cut out eye holes, and slap on some photos of former NYPD Commissioner Eddie Caban, ex-schools Chancellor David Banks and former First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright and voila! Even better, it is easily updatable with each additional exit.

Trash rat

Love them or hate them, New York isn’t New York without our rats. Eric Adams has been battling the rodents himself in attempts to reduce their numbers, and in the process giving us some fun little rodent mascots. There is the classic “rat with suitcase” when the mayor promised to “send rats packing,” which quickly won the hearts and minds of residents. But there is also the more recent cartoon rat to help advertise the city’s new garbage cans. This 3D animated fella is dressed in a vest with big, round glasses and a notably empty plate. Both trash rats would be the perfect addition to any Halloween party this year. To make this a two-person costume, simply dress in all black and label yourself as a trash can – perhaps even the one Adams wheeled out of Gracie Mansion this summer.

What to tell people you’re dressed as if you don’t have a costume

Those of you giving this a read on your way to a Halloween party may still be looking for a good explanation for your lack of holiday spirit. But what you lack in costume you may be able to make up for in creativity, as you can tell people you are one of the following nonexistent things: answered FOIL requests from City Hall, Eric Adams’ political future or a mayoral candidate endorsement from The New York Times Editorial Board.