New York City Mayor Eric Adams is set to face trial on corruption charges starting April 21, 2025, according to a ruling by a U.S. judge on Friday. This trial date comes as the Democrat prepares for a challenging reelection campaign amidst mounting legal issues.
U.S. District Judge Dale Ho scheduled the trial during a hearing in federal court in Manhattan. Adams, 64, pleaded not guilty last month to federal allegations of accepting bribes and illegal campaign contributions from Turkish nationals. Prosecutors allege Adams exerted pressure on city officials to allow the opening of Turkey’s 36-story consulate despite safety concerns.
A former police officer and captain, Adams is the first of New York City’s 110 mayors to face federal charges while in office. Over the past few months, at least seven senior officials in his administration have stepped down as multiple federal corruption investigations surround City Hall.
Despite calls for his resignation from prominent Democrats in New York, including U.S. Representative Jerry Nadler, Adams, who took office in January 2022, has refused to step down. He remains committed to running for reelection next year, where he’s likely to face a competitive Democratic primary in the progressive city.
Alex Spiro, Adams’ attorney, claims the charges rely on statements from a staffer who allegedly implicated Adams falsely. Spiro has downplayed the accusations, dubbing it the “airline upgrade corruption case.”
Turkey’s foreign ministry has noted that it is closely observing Adams’ case, asserting that Turkish diplomats have adhered to proper protocols.
Adams recently received an unexpected message of support from former U.S. President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate facing federal charges related to his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss. Trump, who also faces state charges in New York City, expressed sympathy for Adams during a charity gala in New York on October 17, saying, “Good luck with everything, they went after you. I don’t like what they do.”
Adams has been notably less critical of Trump compared to other Democrats. When asked earlier this week if he agreed with Vice President Kamala Harris’s characterization of Trump as a “fascist,” Adams replied that he did not.
