(NewsNation) — New York City Mayor Eric Adams has rejected calls for his resignation now that he faces federal conspiracy, wire fraud and bribery charges, but the decision to stay in office isn’t his alone.
There are several ways Adams’ hypothetical resignation or removal could unfold — most of which would require an acting mayor to temporarily serve in his place.
It’s a question facing New Yorkers and Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul after a federal grand jury indicted Adams earlier this week. He pleaded not guilty to the charges Thursday. The 57-page charging document accuses Adams of accepting bribes and offering favors in exchange for illegal foreign campaign contributions.
Meanwhile, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said the investigation is ongoing.
“The conduct alleged in the indictment, the foreign money, the corporate money, the bribery, the years of concealment, is a grave breach of the public’s trust,” Williams said. “We continue to dig, and we will hold more people accountable.”
Several top city officials have announced their resignation from Adams’ administration in recent weeks. It’s unclear if or how those resignations may be connected to the mayor’s criminal case. Recent resignation announcements include those from New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan, former New York City Police Department Commissioner Edward Caban, chief legal counsel Liza Zornberg and New York City Public Schools Chancellor David Banks.
Could Adams be removed from office?
Hochul has the power to remove Adams from office. According to New York City’s charter, Hochul could remove the mayor once he receives a copy of the charges and has an opportunity to present his defense. She may also suspend him for as many as 30 days while the criminal case is still unresolved.
The governor issued a statement Thursday saying she would review her options and obligations. A potential removal would be unprecedented.
“I expect the mayor to take the next few days to review the situation and find an appropriate path forward to ensure the people of New York City are being well served by their leaders,” Hochul said.
NewsNation did not immediately receive a response Friday to an email seeking additional comments from the governor’s office.
Adams said Thursday he has no plans to resign and asked New Yorkers to withhold their judgment.
What if Hochul doesn’t remove Adams?
If Hochul doesn’t remove Adams, city officials could also form what’s called an “inability committee” and decide by a two-thirds vote whether Adams is unable to carry out his mayoral duties.
The committee would be made up of New York City’s corporation counsel, comptroller, speaker of the council, deputy mayor and the borough president with the longest consecutive service under their belt.
If Adams were to resign before the upcoming general election, New Yorkers would choose the mayor’s replacement at the polls in November.
Who would take over for Adams?
If Hochul were to remove Adams from office, the job would temporarily fall to New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams until a special election could take place. The acting mayor would have three days to announce the dates of a nonpartisan special election that would take place within the first three months from the time Adams hypothetically left office.
Williams is a Brooklyn native and self-described Democratic Socialist. He previously served on the New York City Council from 2009 until 2019, when he assumed his current role. He lost his gubernatorial bid to Hochul in the 2022 primary election.
Williams cites better policing, safer streets, affordable housing and transparency and accountability in city government as the principles driving his career in public service.