Does Eric Adams have full confidence in his police Commissioner Edward Caban? He won’t say.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams repeatedly dodged questions about whether he has full confidence in Police Commissioner Edward Caban at a press conference on Tuesday, amid multiple reports that Caban is expected to resign and facing pressure to do so. 

Politico New York first reported on Monday that Caban is expected to step down after he was caught up in the latest string of federal investigations touching Adams’ inner circle. Caban had his phone seized by federal authorities last week, who are reportedly looking into whether Caban’s twin brother James traded on influence at the NYPD to sell consulting work to nightclubs. The New York Times reported on Monday that Caban is facing pressure from the Adams administration directly to resign.

Adams, appearing at Tuesday’s press conference virtually as he quarantines with COVID-19, denied that he has pressured Caban to resign. When asked about the reporting that City Hall was pushing for Caban’s exit, Adams called it “false.” 

But when asked multiple times if he has confidence in Caban, Adams shifted attention to the NYPD as an organization, dodging commenting on the commissioner specifically. “I have the utmost confidence in the New York City Police Department,” he said.

Asked again about Caban specifically, Adams again emphasized that he has confidence in the department as a whole. “Commissioner Caban is a part of a team there, and the entire team has to function. One person does not determine the success of the New York City Police Department,” he said. “If there’s a change of personnel in this city, we’re going to do what we always have done. We’ll announce it, and if someone decides to go on with another aspect of their lives, we will announce that as well.”

Adams offered a more specific, albeit brief, comment on Caban on Monday when asked about reports that Caban would be stepping down. “I chose him for his experience and what he brought after 30-something years of service,” he said. “You can never keep up with the rumors that you hear. It was nothing that came from me that fed those rumors at all.”

When asked on PIX11 whether he had full confidence in Caban on Friday, the day after news of the investigation dropped, Adams said that he did.

The NYPD’s press office has not responded to requests for comment about whether Caban will step down.

Adams has done some interviews since it was reported that federal authorities last week searched the homes of and seized devices from multiple members of the administration, including Caban, Deputy Mayor Phil Banks, Schools Chancellor David Banks, First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright and special adviser Timothy Pearson. They join a growing list of members of Adams’ inner circle who have drawn attention from federal law enforcement.

But Tuesday was the first time that Adams and other top-ranking members of his administration have faced questions about the latest investigations from reports at his weekly off-topic press conference. “I realize that these investigations have raised a lot of questions and a lot of concerns. There are some serious matters that must be addressed,” Adams said at the top of the press conference. “I was surprised as you learn these inquiries, I take them extremely seriously.”

Members of the administration and others who have been raided have not been accused of criminal wrongdoing by federal authorities. When asked on Tuesday whether he would commit to having anyone charged with a crime resign – or resigning himself if he were charged – Adams said that he would not engage in hypotheticals. “I am committed to completing my term as the mayor of the City of New York and running for reelection,” he said.