Trump: ‘I would certainly look at’ pardoning Eric Adams

President-elect Donald Trump said he is open to pardoning New York City Mayor Eric Adams as the mayor faces federal bribery and corruption charges. 

“I think that he was treated pretty unfairly,” Trump said of Adams during a Monday afternoon press conference at Mar-a-Lago, adding that while he doesn’t know all of the facts and would need to look into it further, he would certainly consider the possibility. 

"I think he was treated, you know, it's very interesting when he essentially went against what was happening with the migrants coming in. And he made some pretty strong statements like this is not sustainable,” Trump told reporters, alluding to Adams’ unsubstantiated claims that he was targeted by the Justice Department because he spoke out against the Biden administration and its handling of the migrant influx. Trump has long similarly said that charges against him were motivated by political retribution. “I would certainly look at it."

Adams has pleaded not guilty to the five-count indictment, which involves allegations that he accepted a host of travel benefits and illegal campaign contributions from foreign nationals in exchange for political favors. 

Asked whether he’s had conversations with Trump about a potential pardon, Adams told reporters at his afternoon press conference Tuesday that he had not. “The only thing we talk about is improving the city, the city that I love, the city that he loves, and the city that New Yorkers love,” he said.

Trump’s comments that he would consider pardoning Adams adds fuel to critics’ claims that the mayor has taken a soft stance towards the president-elect in hopes that it’ll help his defense – be it through a pardon or Trump’s appointee to lead the Southern District of New York. Some have even speculated whether the mayor – previously a registered Republican – would switch political parties for his 2025 reelection bid. (Unlikely, but technically possible).

Adams last week sat down with Trump’s incoming border czar Tom Homan. In an interview with MSNBC over the weekend, Adams denied that he’s seeking a pardon from Trump. 

“I am not going to be warring with this president, I’m going to be working with this president,” Adams said. “I’m going to move in a direction to bring the resources home to this city.”