Since Mayor Eric Adams was indicted, Governor Kathy Hochul, who holds the power to remove him from office, has not taken any significant actions. However, multiple sources indicate that Hochul is privately pressuring Adams to dismiss any aides who are under federal investigation. She has publicly stated that she is closely monitoring developments within the city government.
According to reports from CNN, the New York Post, and Politico, Hochul is urging Adams to restructure his team by not only removing those still under investigation but also by appointing trustworthy candidates to take their places. While she has not provided a specific list of individuals to be dismissed, insiders say she has clearly conveyed her desire for the mayor to select public servants with good reputations. Recently, several of Adams’ aides, including First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks, have had their phones confiscated or are under federal investigation.
Hochul emphasized that providing a specific list isn’t feasible, as key positions ultimately need to be filled by the mayor himself. “I just want him to know that we are paying attention and expect change; that’s no secret anymore,” she remarked. This week, Adams’ longtime friend and senior advisor Timothy Pearson suddenly resigned, a move Hochul described as “a good first step.”
Sources reveal that Hochul’s senior administration held an online meeting on October 1 with dozens of state officials to discuss the situation concerning Adams. Many officials believe that the state government and the governor should enhance their public presence in New York City to alleviate residents’ concerns that the mayor’s indictment might affect city operations. Meanwhile, Adams is striving to assure citizens that he can still effectively manage the city while maintaining communication with Hochul.
Under New York state law, Hochul has the authority to remove public officials, including the mayor, for misconduct. However, this power has not been exercised since 1974. Should she choose to use it, Hochul could face significant political risks, including losing the support of African American and Latino communities in New York City. As the city’s second African American mayor, Adams has garnered support from various African American leaders, including Reverend Al Sharpton and Hazel Dukes, president of the New York State Conference of NAACP Branches, who emphasize that the mayor should be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
