Judge puts off decision on dropping charges against NY Mayor Adams

Justice Department lawyers on Wednesday defended their decision to end a criminal case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, facing tough questions from a judge about their rationale for the controversial move.

Judge Dale Ho did not immediately rule on the motion to dismiss the charges, saying: "I'm not going to shoot from the hip right here on the bench."

Last week, Emil Bove, a top official at the department and one of President Donald Trump's former personal attorneys, instructed federal prosecutors in Manhattan to drop the corruption case.

Manhattan's lead prosecutor and six other high-level Justice officials resigned in protest, saying there was no legal justification for the directive.

Bove's office later filed a motion to dismiss, prompting the judge to call a hearing.

Adams has been charged with conspiracy, fraud, soliciting illegal campaign contributions, and bribery. He denies any wrongdoing.

Often, judges sign off on dismissing charges from the bench at the end of a hearing, and the approval is typically viewed as routine.

But this case has taken an unusual turn, with the former lead prosecutor, Danielle Sassoon, alleging the federal government is in a quid pro quo with the mayor of the largest city in the US.

In his directive, Bove had said the mayor's legal situation "restricted" his ability to address "illegal immigration and violent crime" in New York City.

Sassoon, the interim head of the Southern District of New York at the time, protested the decision in a letter to the US attorney general that soon became public. She alleged Adams had pledged to help enforce Trump's immigration policies in exchange for the case being dismissed.

Adams has denied Sassoon's claim and called it "silly." Trump, meanwhile, has denied meddling in the mayor's case and Bove has denied a quid pro quo.

The impact of the seven resignations has swept throughout New York City politics, energising a field of potential challengers to replace Adams. New York Governor Kathy Hochul is publicly weighing removing him from office before the upcoming city elections, as well.

On his way in to court on Wednesday, Adams was met with dozens of protestors waving signs and chanting that he has "got to go." So many members of the public lined up to witness the hearing that the courthouse opened multiple overflow rooms.

Judge Ho questioned both Bove and Adams attorney Alex Spiro in detail for more than an hour, after asking Adams a series of standard questions to ensure he understood the terms of the motion to dismiss - including that he could be prosecuted in the future.

The judge pointedly asked if there had been "anything promised to you to induce you to consent to the motion?"

"Not at all," Adams answered.

Bove shot back at Sassoon's allegations and argued thecase prevented Adams from doing his job. The mayor lost his security clearance during the prosecution, he said, and he could not receive necessary information about homeland security, immigration, and terrorism.

But Judge Ho asked if Trump, as president, could simply restore Adams' security clearance. Bove conceded that he could.

When Bove argued that the case, which was set to go to trial next month, could amount to election interference, because Adams "can't campaign", the judge paused and then said, with an audible exhalation, "Okay".

Justice Ho has pledged to reach a timely resolution. It's unclear what would happen if he does not dismiss the charges, but Spiro said they could appeal against that ruling.

After the hearing, Bove released a statement saying those in the department who did not support Trump's "critical mission" should resign.

"I went to New York today to show the men and women of the Justice Department as well as the American people that I am personally committed to our shared fight: ending weaponized government, stopping the invasion of criminal illegal aliens, and eliminating drug cartels and transnational gangs from our homeland," he said.

Adams' indictment has embroiled his administration in scandal, with several city officials resigning.

A Democrat, Adams has accused investigators of pursuing a case against him because of his criticism of former President Joe Biden's immigration policies.

He has also expressed a willingness to work with Trump, and met Trump at his Florida home days before the Republican took office. Adams denied there was any discussion of his case.