New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) was the first high-profile figure to call for the resignation of embattled Mayor Eric Adams, indicted on Wednesday night.
The lawmaker's message came even before the indictment was made public and mainly made reference to the slew of resignations and investigations concerning both Adams and other high-ranking officials of his administration.
"The flood of resignations and vacancies are threatening gov. function. Nonstop investigations will make it impossible to recruit and retain a qualified administration. For the good of the city, he should resign," she said.
The call has been bolstered by the indictment, expected to be detailed as soon as Thursday. Local law enforcement raided mayoral residence Gracie Mansion earlier in the day, seizing an electronic device from Adams part of an investigation into foreign influence into the Democrat's 2021 campaign.
"Federal agents appeared this morning at Gracie Mansion in an effort to create a spectacle (again) and take [Adams'] phone (again)," he said in a statement. "He has not been arrested and looks forward to his day in court," said Alex Spiro, a private attorney working for the mayor. New York Post reporter Craig McCarthy quoted sources saying the indictment will be "voluminous."
Adams has so far rejected all calls for his resignation, using rhetoric similar to Donald Trump's when rejecting his recent indictment and saying he is being targeted by the federal government for his policies regarding the large arrival of migrants to the city over the past years.
Adams said he "always knew" he would become a target for demanding help from the federal government on the issue and that the investigation on him began as retaliation.
"Despite our pleas, the federal government did nothing as its broken immigration policies overloaded our shelter system," Adams said, making reference to the arrival of over 215,000 migrants to the city over approximately two years. "I will request an immediate trial so that New Yorkers can hear the truth," he added.
However, despite Adams' claim about the federal government being too lenient on immigration, a line frequently used by Trump in his campaign, the Biden administration has cracked down on immigration in parallel to New York City. It's restrictions on asylum-seeking for those arriving at the southern border have contributed to a drastic decrease in arrivals, and 2024's figures are now on pace to be the lowest of the Biden administration.
The administration has been hit with other investigations involving senior members, including the police commissioner, the first deputy mayor, the schools chancellor, the deputy mayor for public safety and a senior adviser close to Mr. Adams.
The details of Adams' indictment have not been made public but could surface as soon as Thursday, local media reported. According to The New York Times, federal prosecutors are investigating whether Adams conspired with the Turkish government to funnel illegal foreign donations to his campaign and sought information about interactions with five other countries.
The corruption investigation came into the public eye late last year, changing the political landscape in the city. Since then, Adams has become a political target, with plummeting approval ratings and several challengers in the 2025 Democratic primary.
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