New York City Mayor Eric Adams faces growing calls for his resignation

• New York City Mayor Eric Adams will face trial on bribery and wire fraud charges.
• Adams faces five criminal charges in connection with a federal corruption investigation.
• Calls for Adams’ resignation are growing, with some saying his legal disputes are hampering city management.

As New York City Mayor Eric Adams prepares for a hearing, there is a growing number of Democrats calling for his resignation.

Adams was accused of soliciting bribes from wealthy international business partners, including at least one Turkish government official who spent nearly a decade trying to “gain influence over him,” according to official documents unclassified on Thursday.

The documents show he was also charged with soliciting illegal campaign contributions, wire fraud and bribery.

Adams has denied his allegations, telling The New York Times on Wednesday that all allegations against him are “completely false.”

He is scheduled to appear in court before Judge Katharine Parker in Manhattan at 12:00 p.m. EST.

Several prominent officials and lawmakers urged Adams to resign.

Writing to

“The flood of resignations and vacancies threatens the functioning of the government,” she said. “Continued investigations will make it impossible to recruit and retain qualified administration.

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, second in line to succeed Adams, said in a statement that the mayor deserved due process and the presumption of innocence.

“However, it is clear that defending against these serious federal charges will require the significant amount of time and attention needed to govern this great city,” Lander added.

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“The most appropriate path is for him to step down so that New York can fully focus on its leadership demands,” he added.

Democratic congressional candidates John Avlon and Laura Gillen also called for the mayor’s resignation.

“I believe in choosing principles over partisan politics,” Avlon wrote in X. “The Democrat cheater is just as bad as the Republican cheater. While everyone has the right to the presumption of innocence before being tried by a jury, Mayor Adams should step aside for the good of all New Yorkers and a special election should be held.”

Meanwhile, at least four members of the New York City Council encouraged Adams to resign, the newspaper reported.

“New Yorkers are fed up with politicians abusing their positions. We deserve better, which is why Mayor Adams should step down,” wrote Sandy Nurse in X.

New York State Senator John C. Liu added that New Yorkers need a mayor who can devote all his time and energy to getting the city on the right path.

As of this writing Friday, Adams remains in his position. As Business Insider previously reported, Gov. Kathy Hochul could remove the mayor if he is charged with a crime.

However, the likelihood of such a scenario is unclear as Hochul and Adams are considered close allies, Gothamist– reported the outlet based in New York.

Hochul issued a statement Thursday asking Adams to “find an appropriate path forward that ensures New Yorkers are well-served by their leaders.”

“We must give New Yorkers confidence that there is consistent, responsible leadership at every level of government,” she said.