Trump Says He Would Think About Pardoning Eric Adams

Former President Donald Trump said he would consider pardoning NYC Mayor Eric Adams amid corruption charges, citing what he argues is unfair treatment.

At a Glance

Trump has expressed a willingness to consider pardoning NYC Mayor Eric Adams, who faces federal bribery charges.
Adams is under investigation for alleged fraud, corruption, and accepting illegal campaign contributions.
Trump accuses federal prosecutors of treating Adams unfairly, comparing it to his own experiences.
Adams has previously supported some of Trump’s policies, particularly on immigration.
The NYC mayor faces charges including receiving travel benefits from Turkish officials and aiding in obtaining approvals for a new Turkish Consulate.

Trump’s Stance on Adams’ Legal Troubles

In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump has revealed he would consider pardoning New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who is currently facing federal bribery charges. Trump’s statement came during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, where he addressed various topics, including Adams’ indictment.

Trump, despite not being familiar with the specifics of the charges, expressed his willingness to consider pardon Adams, stating, “Yeah I would.” The former president accused federal prosecutors of treating Adams “pretty unfairly,” drawing parallels to his own experiences with the Justice Department.

President-elect Donald Trump said Monday he would "look at" a pardon for embattled New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who has been indicted on federal corruption charges. https://t.co/4DfQOR5nOo

— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) December 16, 2024

The Charges Against Adams

Mayor Adams is under federal investigation for alleged fraud and corruption, including accepting luxury travel perks and illegal campaign contributions. The charges against him are serious, encompassing receiving travel benefits from Turkish officials, such as flight upgrades on Turkish Airlines, soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations, and aiding in obtaining approvals for a new Turkish Consulate despite safety concerns.

“Being upgraded in an airplane many years ago — I know probably everybody here has been upgraded,” Trump said.

Trump’s comments on the flight upgrades seem to argue that such perks are common and not necessarily indicative of corruption. This perspective aligns with his overall stance that Adams is being unfairly targeted.

Adams’ Previous Support for Trump

Adams has previously defended Trump and expressed support for some of his policies, particularly on immigration. Adams has faced criticism from Democratic leaders for his interactions with Trump and has even suggested he might rejoin the Republican Party.

“We will work with the new administration and Congress to develop a realistic and compassionate national strategy for our immigration system,” Adams said.

Adams’ statement indicates a willingness to collaborate with Trump’s administration on immigration issues.

Adams’ Response and Future Outlook

While Adams hasn’t extensively commented on how Trump’s potential presidency could affect his legal case, he has emphasized his commitment to advocating for New Yorkers and addressing city issues. The mayor has expressed interest in collaborating with Trump’s administration on matters such as infrastructure and public safety in NYC.

Adams’ focus remains on his role as mayor, with him reiterating his goal in November to make New York City the “safest big city in America.” Despite the ongoing legal challenges, Adams appears open to working alongside Trump on vital urban issues.