Justice Department Seeks to Drop Charges Against New York City Mayor Eric Adams

FIRST ON FOX – The Justice Department has taken steps to dismiss federal charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, according to sources at Fox News.

Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove addressed the acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) in a letter on Monday, directing them to drop the case against Adams and dismiss it without prejudice.

In September, Adams faced indictment on serious allegations, including bribery, soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals, wire fraud, and conspiracy. He has consistently pleaded not guilty to all accusations.

Fox News acquired Bove’s memo to the acting U.S. Attorney, titled “Dismissal Without Prejudice of Prosecution of Mayor Eric Adams.” This memo outlines the Justice Department’s reasoning behind the decision.

The memo references executive orders from former President Donald Trump that focus on combating the weaponization of law enforcement and adjusting federal immigration policy. Bove’s memo emphasized the protocol for the dismissal process, stating: “You are directed, as authorized by the Attorney General, to dismiss the pending charges in United States v. Adams…as soon as is practicable, subject to the following conditions: the defendant must agree in writing to dismissal without prejudice; the defendant must agree in writing that he is not a prevailing party under the Hyde Amendment…and the matter shall be reviewed by the confirmed U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York, following the November 2025 mayoral election, based on consideration of all relevant factors.”

Bove clarified that the Justice Department reached its conclusion without evaluating the strength of the evidence or the legal theories presented, which are ultimately the responsibilities of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He added: “Moreover, as I said during our recent meetings, this directive in no way calls into question the integrity and efforts of the line prosecutors responsible for the case, or your efforts in leading those prosecutors in connection with a matter you inherited.”

Bove further acknowledged the need for dismissal based on two independent reasons. He stated that the recent timing of the charges and public actions by the former U.S. Attorney posed a threat to the integrity of the proceedings. He expressed concerns regarding increased prejudicial pretrial publicity that risks influencing potential witnesses and the jury pool.

Notably, Bove pointed out that Adams had criticized the previous administration’s immigration policies prior to the charges being filed. He remarked on the former U.S. Attorney’s public actions, which have created potential appearances of impropriety, thus raising issues outlined in the Attorney General’s previous memorandum on restoring the integrity and credibility of the Justice Department, as well as Executive Order 14147 on ending the weaponization of government.

Bove’s memo further stated: “These actions and the underlying case have also improperly interfered with Mayor Adams’ campaign in the 2025 mayoral election.” He asserted that the ongoing prosecution had restricted Adams’ ability to focus on critical issues such as illegal immigration and rising violent crime, which escalated under previous policies.

Expressing broader concerns, Bove noted: “We are particularly concerned about the impact of the prosecution on Mayor Adams’ ability to support critical, ongoing federal efforts to ‘protect the American people from the disastrous effects of unlawful mass migration and resettlement.’”

Bove pointed to an executive order signed by the president that aligns with these objectives, further stating the importance of achieving immigration goals set forth by Trump and the Attorney General, highlighting their significance compared to previous policies that resulted in the release of violent offenders.

The memo’s contents surface shortly after Bove and senior DOJ officials conducted meetings with Adams’ legal representatives. Additionally, Adams had previously met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago before his inauguration last month.

In December, Adams alluded to a possibility that the charges stemmed from his criticisms of the Biden administration’s immigration strategies. In a candid interview with Fox News, he stated: “I did not break the law.”

Adams asserted his commitment to legality, emphasizing: “I did nothing wrong — that is how I live my life. And that is how I’m going to continue to live my life.”

The decision to dismiss the charges aligns with a broader initiative established by Attorney General Pam Bondi, who recently created the “Weaponization Working Group.” This group aims to review actions taken by law enforcement over the past four years to identify politicized instances of justice.

The unfolding developments hint at a complex interplay of law enforcement, political dynamics, and the ongoing scrutiny surrounding Mayor Adams as he navigates his administration.

As the situation evolves, the implications of this decision may resonate within the broader political landscape, especially leading into New York City’s upcoming mayoral election in 2025. Observers will undoubtedly follow the proceedings closely, considering their potential impact not only on Adams but also on the public perception of justice and political accountability.