New York City Mayor Eric Adams is facing an indefinite delay in his federal corruption trial, but the case against him is far from over.
On Friday, February 21, 2025, U.S. District Judge Dale Ho adjourned the trial—originally scheduled for April—while considering whether to dismiss the charges entirely. The judge instead appointing an outside lawyer to present independent arguments on the motion, which was otherwise unopposed.
The lawyer, Paul D. Clement, is a political conservative who was the U.S. solicitor general during President George W. Bush’s administration.
Dale E. Ho also called for additional briefs from the parties and said he would hold an oral argument on March 14, 2025, if he felt it was necessary.
What Are the Charges Against Adams?
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) charged Adams with five criminal counts, including:
- Bribery
- Conspiracy to commit wire fraud
- Solicitation of a contribution by a foreign national
Adams has denied all wrongdoing, maintaining since his indictment in September 2023 that he never engaged in corrupt behavior.
“As I said from the outset, I never broke the law, and I never would. I would never put any personal benefit above my solemn responsibility as your mayor.” – Eric Adams
Why Did the Judge Pause the Trial?
Judge Ho’s decision to indefinitely delay the case comes after the DOJ moved to dismiss the charges on February 10. However, rather than immediately granting the DOJ’s request, Ho is seeking further legal input.
He appointed Paul Clement, a former U.S. Solicitor General under President George W. Bush, as an amicus curiae—an impartial legal expert—to evaluate whether dismissing the charges is legally justified.
Key Legal Questions Before the Court
Clement has been asked to assess six major legal issues, including:
- The legal standards required for dismissing federal charges
- Whether Adams’ case should be dismissed with or without prejudice (A dismissal “without prejudice” means prosecutors could refile charges later.)
- Potential implications of dismissing a case amid claims of political influence
Legal briefs are due by March 7, and oral arguments may be held on March 14 if the judge deems them necessary.
Political Controversy: Trump’s DOJ and the Fallout
This case took a political turn when Acting U.S. Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove justified dropping the charges against Adams as part of President Donald Trump’s executive order to end the “weaponization of prosecutorial power.”
Bove warned that continuing Adams’ prosecution would interfere with the mayor’s ability to cooperate with Trump’s immigration crackdown in New York. The implication: dropping charges might make Adams more willing to align with Trump’s immigration policies.
This explanation sparked outrage within the DOJ, leading to multiple resignations, including:
- Danielle Sassoon, interim U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, resigned on February 13, calling the move a “breathtaking and dangerous precedent.”
- Hagan Scotten, a lead prosecutor on Adams’ case, resigned the next day, becoming the seventh DOJ official to quit in protest.
“No system of ordered liberty can allow the Government to use the carrot of dismissing charges, or the stick of threatening to bring them again, to induce an elected official to support its policy objectives.” – Hagan Scotten, in his resignation letter
Could Adams Still Be Removed from Office?
Despite the controversy, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has stated that she will not remove Adams from office—for now. Instead, she plans to impose new restrictions on his authority to restore public confidence in City Hall.
“This is an opportunity to install safeguards that we need to have in place to give people confidence that there’s only one factor in every decision that’s made, and that’s what’s best for the people of the city.” – Gov. Kathy Hochul
What’s Next for Adams?
While Adams claims he is “no longer facing legal questions,” Judge Ho’s ruling indicates the case remains unsettled. If the charges are dismissed without prejudice, the DOJ could refile them later, depending on shifting political and legal circumstances.
For now, Adams avoids trial, but his political future—and potential legal risk—remain uncertain.
