Democratic lawmaker calls for Eric Adams to resign at hearing

Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) called on New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) to resign on Wednesday following the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) move to drop federal corruption charges against him. 

"I personally agree with the majority of New Yorkers and think Mr. Mayor that you should resign," Garcia told Adams, who was testifying along with other Democratic mayors before the House Oversight Committee.  

"We have a right to know if the Trump administration has coerced you into agreeing to anything," Garcia said. "Are you selling out New Yorkers to save yourself from prosecution?" 

Adams denied taking part in any quid pro quo. 

"There's no deal. There's no quid pro quo. I did nothing wrong," Adams told the committee.

Adams was originally set to stand trial in April on charges of bribery, wire fraud and soliciting illegal campaign contributions, but a federal judge overseeing the criminal case indefinitely delayed the trial as he considers the effort by the DOJ to drop the charges.

The hearing where the exchange took place also included Boston Mayor Michelle Wu (D), Chicago Mayor Brendan Johnson (D) and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston (D). 

Former U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon said it amounted to a “quid pro quo” in which the case would be ended in exchange for the mayor helping the Trump administration with its immigration priorities.

Earlier this week, Democratic Reps. Jamie Raskin (Md.) and Jasmine Crockett (Texas), who are members of the Judiciary Committee, announced they were launching an investigation into the DOJ’s moves to drop the corruption charges against Adams. 

Adams appeared to put on a friendly front with the Trump’s team following the president’s election win last year. The Democratic mayor notably appeared with Trump’s now-boarder czar Tom Homan on “Fox and Friends” last month after Adams agreed to allow federal immigration officials to operate at Rikers Island. The moved marked a major change in New York City’s sanctuary city policies. Additionally the two agreed to work together to solve the city’s “migrant problem.” 

The New York City mayor is up for reelection this year and has already received a high profile primary challenger from former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D).