The Attorney General has directed federal prosecutors to dismiss the pending charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, according to a memo from Assistant Attorney General Bove. This development follows a meeting between Adams’ legal team and federal prosecutors, although it remains unclear whether the prosecutors will comply with the directive. Any decision to dismiss the case must be formally submitted to the court and receive judicial approval.
The memo indicates that the case may be revisited after the mayoral election in November 2025, but it instructs prosecutors not to pursue any further investigative actions until that time. Additionally, Bove urged that steps be taken to restore Mayor Adams’ security clearance.
Bove, who previously served as Donald Trump’s defense attorney during his criminal trial, emphasized that the Justice Department’s decision was made without evaluating the evidence or legal theories involved in the case. He noted that this conclusion does not undermine the integrity or efforts of the prosecutors who initially brought the charges.
Adams, a Democrat, has been under scrutiny following allegations of corruption, including accusations of accepting foreign bribes. Critics have pointed to his recent efforts to strengthen ties with the Trump administration, including attending the presidential inauguration and engaging with federal immigration authorities, which some argue contradicts New York City’s sanctuary city policies.
Despite these controversies, Adams has consistently maintained his innocence and denied any discussions with President Trump regarding his legal situation. His attorney, Alex Spiro, heralded the memo as a victory for the mayor, asserting that Adams would ultimately prevail in the face of these allegations.
The Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s office, which initiated the case against Adams, has yet to comment on the recent developments. Legal experts have weighed in on the situation, with some labeling Bove’s memo as an unfounded attack on the former U.S. attorney and the legal team involved in the case. As the political landscape continues to evolve, the implications of this memo and the future of the case against Mayor Adams remain uncertain.