By Steve Neavling
Two high-ranking Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee are opening an inquiry into the Justice Department’s decision to drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a fellow Democrat facing mounting political challenges.
The move underscores Adams’ declining standing within his own party as he prepares for a difficult primary election in June.
In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, obtained exclusively by POLITICO, Reps. Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Jasmine Crockett of Texas, who serve as the top Democrats on the Judiciary Committee and its oversight subcommittee, raised concerns over the circumstances surrounding the DOJ’s dismissal of the case.
“Last month, troubling reports emerged about the Trump Administration’s demand that federal prosecutors move to dismiss the serious public corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams as part of a blatant and illegal quid pro quo to secure the Mayor’s loyal assistance in executing the Trump Administration’s mass arrest and deportation policies,” Raskin and Crockett wrote.
Adams was indicted in September on accusations that he received unlawful campaign contributions and gifts from Turkish officials, allegations he has consistently denied. However, the Trump administration recently moved to abandon the case, contending that pursuing it would interfere with Adams’ collaboration with federal immigration enforcement and impact his reelection campaign.
Shortly after the charges were dropped, Adams informed President Donald Trump’s immigration advisor, Tom Homan, that he would allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement access to detainees at Rikers Island, reversing a longstanding city policy.
“Unfortunately, this is yet another example of the Trump DOJ allowing criminals to go free — whether they assaulted police officers, sold drugs to the community, or are corrupt politicians — as long as the criminals pledge loyalty to President Trump,” Raskin and Crockett wrote in their letter to Bondi.
