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He’s no David Dinkins – but is Mayor Adams the leaders New Yorkers need right now?

The latest news on Mayor Eric Adams

The New York Times commenting on corruption charges against Democratic Mayor Eric Adams said:

“A judge on Wednesday dismissed corruption charges against Eric Adams, ending the first criminal case against a New York City mayor in modern history and underscoring how President Trump’s Justice Department is using prosecutorial power to advance his agenda.

The judge, Dale E. Ho of Federal District Court in Manhattan, refused to let the government retain the option of reinstating the case, as Mr. Trump’s Justice Department had sought.

The New York Times, April 2, 2025

With a   78-page decision Judge Dale E. Ho swept away one of several scandals surrounding New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

Eric Adams: The Struggles, Successes, and Scandals That Define His Mayoralty

Since taking office in January 2022, Mayor Eric Adams of New York City has faced a turbulent journey marked by both successes and significant challenges.

However, as his term progressed, many New Yorkers expressed deep concerns about his leadership, particularly in light of mounting scandals, ethical questions, and political reversals.

The question now is whether Adams can overcome these obstacles and continue leading The City.

Early Successes and High Expectations

When Eric Adams was elected mayor, many saw him as a pragmatic figure who could restore New York’s sense of safety and stability which was deeply threatened during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, protests emerged worldwide, including in New York City. Some of these devolved into violence and a stubborn crime spike, including civil unrest, and economic upheaval, along with a curfew during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Adams’ background in law enforcement gave him credibility on crime, and, upon his election, his administration quickly moved to strengthen the NYPD and address public safety concerns.

In addition, Mayor Adams focused on revitalizing the city’s economy, particularly in Manhattan, by pushing for the return of office workers and tourists.

Some regarded Adams’ leadership efforts in helping businesses bounce back from pandemic-induced closures and promoting cultural industries as a sign that New York would regain its standing as a global economic powerhouse and cultural hub.

Growing Concerns and Ethical Troubles

However, initial optimism in his first term in office gave way to cracks in Adams’ tenure. One of the first major scandals to surface involved campaign finance issues. In early 2023, Adams was hit with allegations of bribery and campaign finance violations.

The accusations claimed that Adams had illegally accepted foreign contributions to his mayoral campaign, including money from individuals with ties to foreign governments.

The situation became even more complicated when the Justice Department decided to drop the case, prompting a mass resignation of three senior federal prosecutors who protested the decision.

These resignations raised further questions about the integrity of the investigation and the influence of political forces on the Justice Department’s handling of the case.

For many New Yorkers, however, this not only cast doubt on Adams’ campaign finances but also on the larger question of political corruption at City Hall.

Ties to Turkey and Allegations of Influence

The controversy surrounding Adams deepened when reports emerged linking him to Turkish business interests.

The mayor has denied any illegal activity, but the relationship between his administration and foreign figures has fueled concerns about the potential for outside influence on New York City’s governance.

The Trump Connection: A Political Misstep?

Another striking aspects of Adams’ tenure has been his unexpected ties to the Trump administration.

In February 2025, Guardian reports, among others, surfaced that Adams had appealed to former President Donald Trump for assistance with the White House’s immigration policy.

The Trump administration was, and still is, engaged in a controversial policy of mass deportations. The Mayor allegedly sought to align himself with Trump’s immigration priorities, it appears, to gain favor with the federal government.

This move was widely seen as a political misstep.

Adams, a Democrat, had campaigned on a progressive platform that included protecting immigrant rights and opposing the Trump administration’s harsh immigration policies.

His overtures to the president raised eyebrows, particularly among progressive New Yorkers who saw it as a betrayal of his promises.

Some critics have accused Adams of compromising his values for political gain, potentially alienating the very constituencies that helped him to win the mayoralty.

A Tumultuous Period: Resignations and Staff Turnover

The controversies surrounding Adams have not been limited to his own actions.

Several key members of his administration have resigned in protest over the handling of various issues including 4 deputy mayors: Maria Torres-Springer, Anne Williams-Isom, Meera Joshi, and Chauncey Parker .

These departures have further eroded confidence in his leadership. The mayor’s ability to retain competent staff has been called into question, as resignations from high-level positions suggest internal discord and a lack of cohesion within his administration.

Perhaps most concerning, as reported by The New York Times, was the resignation of senior members, like Ingrid Lewis-Martin, an early supporter of the Mayor who appeared to have his full support.

Also, David Banks, the former NYC Schools Chancellor, abruptly retired, and his brother, Phillip Banks, the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety, who has ties to Mayor Adams through their father, who worked with the Mayor on the police force, resigned ahead of their phones being seized and their private residences searched.

This “fall from grace” involved David Banks’ wife Sheena Wright, who was the First Deputy Mayor. Their home was searched, and her phone was seized.

A City at a Crossroads

As New Yorkers grapple with these issues, the future of leadership in The City remains uncertain. The ongoing challenges facing the mayor including;

-ethical questions about campaign finance practices;

-complicated political relationships;

-federal investigations and property seizures for himself and some of his close allies and appointees;

have all raised questions about his ability to govern fairly and effectively.

Critics argue that Adams’ focus on law and order, combined with his controversial ties to foreign interests and the Trump administration, might hinder his ability to move forward, if re-elected, with a progressive agenda.

On the other hand, some supporters maintain that Adams’ experience in law enforcement gives him the skills needed to tackle the city’s pressing public safety issues. They argue that his willingness to seek help from a variety of sources, including President Trump, is simply a pragmatic approach to addressing the city’s needs, even if the optics are controversial.

Looking Ahead: Can Adams Lead New York Forward?

The question remains: Can Eric Adams overcome the tumult of his first years in office and lead New York City toward a brighter future?

Adams prospects as the leader of a city with a global profile — in terms of its robust political make up, traditional and emerging economies, complex social fabric and future trajectory — will depend largely on whether he can regain the trust of New Yorkers.

However, Adams will need to confront these scandals transparently – and refocus on the issues that matter most — affordable housing, keeping New York a business friendly town, providing equitable public safety while offering access to services, and providing truth in governing.

New York City is a big place. Big ideas and bold leadership are required here.

Whether Eric Adams can rise to meet this challenge and guide The City to a big, bold future will be one of the defining questions of his mayoralty. For now, New Yorkers are watching closely.

Prayer for our Leaders

While some New Yorkers watch closely, others are also praying.

Not only because of the concerns around NY City Mayor Adams, but because the Bible tells us to pray for leadership, we should do so regularly.

In brief and according to Got Questions.org:

• Praying for leaders makes practical sense. When our leaders can affect the conditions we live in and have an impact on our families, our churches, our workplaces, our cities, and our countries, why wouldn’t we pray for them?

• If those in authority obey the will of God, it can be easier to “live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Timothy 2:2).

• However, when evil men – or those who are in the “other” political party, either way – are in authority, our prayers for them are just as needed for those persons and for our own hearts. We need to pray for our “enemies.”

• How should we pray for our leaders?
  • First, if we are uncertain that they know Jesus, we should pray for their salvation. Tellingly, before Judge Ho’s ruling in his case, Mayor Adams attended church at Christian Cultural Center a multi site, Brooklyn NY based ministry founded by the godly and influential Pastor A. R. Bernard. PRAYER WORKS!
  • Whether or not our leaders are Christians, we should pray that God will guide them as they guide us. Won’t He do it? Yes, He will. Just ask Pharoah (Moses), King Ahasuerus (Esther), or Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel).
  • We can pray for wise, discerning leaders surrounded by helpful, honest advisers.
  • We can pray for our leaders’ protection. Please recall that then-candidate Trump survived at least two assassination attempts.
  • We can pray for leaders’ families, who are often scrutinized and bear an extra load of pressure as if they, too, are running for office.

New Yorkers will soon be ready to cast their votes, and, I hope that Christians will continue to pray for each of the mayoral hopefuls.

Finally, I trust that all New Yorkers will vote in the direction of their confidence which may or may not be for Eric Adams.