Hochul warns New Yorkers’ confidence in Adams is ‘wavering’

Gov. Kathy Hochul addressed New York City reporters for the first time on Monday since New York City Mayor Eric Adams was indicted last week. She confirmed that she spoke to the mayor following the unsealing of the indictment, and she suggested that New Yorkers’ confidence in the mayor is “wavering.” But she provided little insight about what it would take for her to remove him from office.

Hochul made the comments about Adams during an unrelated press conference in Manhattan about plans to “keep New York running” in the wake of a potential strike at East Coast ports. She told reporters that she is “not going to stand here and give a timeline right now” on when or if she plans to remove Adams from office. She has authority under both state law and the New York City charter to remove a mayor from office, but doing so would be an extraordinary step. “We must convince New Yorkers, let them know that there is responsible leadership that knows how to govern, and I have to restore that,” Hochul said, adding that it would be “difficult.”

The governor did not explicitly rule out the prospect of invoking her authority to remove Adams, instead suggesting that she is allowing Adams time to prove himself in the wake of the indictment. “I'm giving the mayor an opportunity now to demonstrate to New Yorkers – and to me – that we are righting the ship, that we have the opportunity to instill the confidence that I think is wavering right now, and to power forward with an effective government,” Hochul said.

But the governor did not elaborate on what she would consider a failure to prove responsible governance. “I have talked to the mayor about what my expectations are, and I don't give up details of private conversations,” Hochul told reporters. She also did not provide any insight about what, if any, advice she gave to Adams during her conversation with him. However, Hochul expressed confidence that the permanent government of municipal workers in Adams’ office and city government will keep the wheels turning in New York City despite recent high-profile departures from Adams’ administration. “When circumstances require changes, they can be momentarily disruptive,” Hochul said. “But the larger good is served by having people in all levels… who are competent, who are ethical and focus (on) their responsibility, which is to serve the people of our state and our city.”

On Friday, Rev. Al Sharpton urged Hochul not to remove Adams from office and to allow due process to play out. He’s likely one of the key political leaders that would influence Hochul’s decision making on whether to use her executive power in this instance. Hochul said on Monday that she has “a lot of respect” for Sharpton and his leadership and that she speaks to him often. But Hochul, who is set to attend Sharpton’s National Action Network Triumph Awards on Monday evening, didn’t directly opine on his comments regarding her potential removal of Adams.

In addition to Sharpton, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries – both Brooklynites like Adams – would likely be integral to any decision that Hochul makes regarding Adams, particularly given the upcoming high-stakes congressional elections in New York. Hochul declined to say whether she had spoken to Schumer or Jeffries. “I’ve had conversations with many people as one would expect,” she said.

For his part, Adams has maintained his innocence and has repeatedly denied that he would step down despite growing calls for his resignation. Speaking at the Emmanuel Presbyterian Reformed Church in the Bronx on Sunday, he projected strength in the face of his corruption charges. “I’m not going to resign, I’m going to reign,” Adams told congregants.