Adams Administration Further Weakened Amid Planned Resignations by Deputy Mayors

The faltering public support of Mayor Adams sparks rising question as to the ability of the city administration to lead effectively, but the recently reported pledge from Mayor Adams’ administration to “cooperate with the President Donald Trump on immigration enforcement” has prompted the planned resignation of four deputy mayors. Although the timing of the resignations is unclear, response by Gov. Hochul on late Monday was that the resignations raise “serious questions about the long-term future of this mayoral administration.” The news comes just weeks after “the Trump administration’s politicized order to drop the criminal case against” Mayor Eric Adams; as well as the Trump administration’s “seizure of $80 million from a city bank account” that was recently deposited. The funds reportedly had been awarded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency during President Joe Biden’s term in office under a 2023 “Shelter and Services Program (SSP)” program that reimburses localities for immigration-related expenses. In response, a letter was sent to the New York City Law Department by New York City Comptroller Brad Lander urging the prompt initiation of litigation to recoup the funds, stating the “funds were debited at the direction of the Trump administration on February 11, 2025, without notice or justification, from one of the City’s accounts. This action not only jeopardizes the City’s budget, but also critically undermines the City’s ability to deliver essential services to our residents. Responding to Lander’s request on Friday, February 14, corporation counsel for the Adams administration, Muriel Goode-Trufant reportedly wrote that “the city’s Law Department ‘is currently drafting litigation papers’ and intends to file a lawsuit by February 21” making the move by the Adams administration a notable one.