Republican critics are echoing the same sentiment as former President Donald Trump as they express concerns about the federal investigation into New York Mayor Eric Adams. These defenders of the Democratic mayor argue that he is being unfairly targeted by the probe and are working to protect his political base in key voting blocs.
State Sen. Leroy Comrie, a Democrat, even went so far as to call it a “witch hunt” and criticized the FBI for going too far.
Some Republicans have drawn parallels between the investigation into Adams’ campaign and what they view as the overzealous prosecution of Trump. They argue that Adams, who has been critical of the Biden administration, is now facing investigation under that same administration.
Rep. Brandon Williams, a Republican from Syracuse, expressed concern about the “weaponization” of the justice system. Even the conservative New York Post editorial board, typically supportive of Adams, has criticized the Justice Department’s handling of the case.
Adams’ closest advisers are focusing on rallying support in the communities where he remains strongest, particularly among Black and Latino voters. Officials representing these communities have voiced objections to the investigation and defended the mayor, citing his long history of advocacy and alliances built during his political career.
Even those who did not endorse Adams, such as state Sen. Jabari Brisport, have rejected the argument that he is being unfairly targeted, describing it as an attempt to avoid accountability.
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While Adams’ team has not actively sought support from Republicans, they are not rejecting it either. New York City Council Minority Leader Joe Borelli, a Republican, defended the mayor in a social media post without any prompting.
Adams himself is being cautious with his words, neither confirming nor denying that he is being targeted, and expressing respect for the methods used by law enforcement.
The federal investigation centers around potential Turkish influence through campaign donations to Adams. So far, there have been no charges, but his team is working hard to defend him in the court of public opinion.
They are stressing cooperation with the government, complaining about leaks, and downplaying the focus of the investigation. Adams’ donor base is reportedly standing by him, with many expressing support and dismissing the investigation as unfair.
While the full scope of the investigation remains unclear, Adams’ team is confident that no laws were broken on their side. However, they acknowledge that the investigation is now being played out in the court of public opinion, and they are determined to ensure that no wrongdoing is wrongly attributed to the mayor before any evidence is presented.
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