In a surprising turn of events, the Department of Justice (DOJ) is set to dismiss the federal charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove directed the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) to drop the case without prejudice, according to a memo obtained by Fox News.
Adams, who pleaded not guilty, faced charges including bribery, soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals, wire fraud, and conspiracy. The dismissal is contingent upon Adams agreeing in writing to the terms, including acknowledging he is not a prevailing party under the Hyde Amendment. The case will be reviewed by the confirmed U.S. Attorney following the November 2025 mayoral election.
Bove's memo cites President Trump's executive orders aimed at combating the weaponization of law enforcement and federal immigration policy as justification for the dismissal. The DOJ emphasized that the decision doesn't reflect on the evidence or legal theories of the case, nor does it question the integrity of the prosecutors involved. Instead, the DOJ expressed concern over the timing of the charges and subsequent public actions by the former U.S. Attorney, which they believe risked impacting potential witnesses and the jury pool.
The memo also points to Adams' criticism of the previous administration's immigration policies before the charges were filed. The DOJ contends that the case interfered with the 2025 mayoral election and hindered Adams' ability to address illegal immigration and violent crime, issues the DOJ links to policies of the prior administration. Bove's memo underscores the importance of supporting federal efforts to address unlawful mass migration, drawing a comparison to the previous administration's release of individuals deemed dangerous, such as Viktor Bout.
The decision follows meetings between DOJ officials and Adams' legal team, as well as a meeting between Adams and President Trump at Mar-a-Lago. Adams previously suggested the charges stemmed from his outspoken stance against the Biden administration's immigration policies. He maintained his innocence in a December interview with Fox News. The DOJ's move aligns with the recently established Weaponization Working Group's mission to investigate potential instances of politicized justice within law enforcement agencies over the past four years.
