Source: Politics<\/p>\n
NEW YORK \u2014 New York City\u2019s defiant Democratic mayor ran into one hurdle after another Monday \u2014 facing mounting fallout from the investigations into him and his inner circle just as he tries to improve his precarious political standing.<\/p>\n
The city\u2019s Campaign Finance Board voted Monday morning to deny Mayor Eric Adams $4.5 million<\/a> in public funds for his re-election. Ninety minutes later, his longest-serving, closest aide \u2014 Ingrid Lewis-Martin \u2014 and her lawyer announced the Manhattan district attorney will soon indict her<\/a> on alleged corruption charges. More than 1,200 miles away, President-elect Donald Trump said he would consider pardoning<\/a> the mayor in his federal bribery case \u2014 a legal lifeline that carries great political risk in a New York City Democratic primary.<\/p>\n The cascade of bad news comes as Adams faces attacks from a bevy of lesser-known Democrats running to unseat him next year, as well as the prospect of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo jumping into the primary. The mayor has been aggressively trying to change his circumstances lately \u2014 alleging he was targeted for his criticisms of outgoing President Joe Biden, lambasting local reporters for their negative coverage and pushing out a string of positive announcements about public safety, tax relief and affordable housing.<\/p>\n None of that was enough to help him navigate the bad news Monday, which culminated in a combative news conference in which his staff tried to cut off reporters as they asked questions about the pressing stories.<\/p>\n In denying Adams matching funds, the local board condemned him to another six months of fundraising ahead of next June\u2019s Democratic primary, a significant setback for any incumbent \u2014 though it is one he can appeal.<\/p>\n The board partially based its decision on a five-count federal indictment alleging Adams participated in a bribery scheme involving the Turkish government. The mayor has pleaded not guilty and will face trial in April.<\/p>\n On top of that, with its decision Monday, the board hand-delivered a line of attack that\u2019s sure to dog the mayor throughout his campaign.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is now even less of a shot of Mayor Adams winning reelection,\u201d said Democratic strategist Trip Yang, an adviser to Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, a potential Adams challenger. \u201cHe could raise more contributions, but it will require a lot of effort and time. And this adds to the litany of credibility arguments that could be used against him for the Trump-averse Democratic primary electorate.\u201d<\/p>\n Adams noted at his press conference that while several of his potential competitors did not qualify for matching funds, the board could change its mind going forward. He did not, however, mention that his rivals were denied for different reasons.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re going to continue to work with CFB to answer any questions that they have so we can continue to get the funding,\u201d Adams said. \u201cEven without the funding, we have out-raised substantially everyone else that\u2019s in the race.”<\/p>\n He also had to contend with pending troubles for Lewis-Martin, who abruptly resigned Sunday ahead of expected criminal charges this week. She has been Adams\u2019 closest and most loyal adviser for decades \u2014 and is departing his ranks during one of the most tenuous chapters in his political career.<\/p>\n The mayor addressed the loss \u2014 which came as the two have been reportedly<\/a> feuding \u2014 in deeply personal terms Monday.<\/p>\n “Whenever I walked on stage to do a State of the City, or go to a debate, no matter what I did, she would walk in the room, ask everyone to leave, and she would grab my hands and she would pray for me,\u201d Adams said. \u201cThis morning I did it for her \u2014 I lifted her up in prayer.\u201d<\/p>\n The mayor said she is \u201cnot only a friend but she\u2019s my sister, and I love her so much, and I just really ask God to give her strength in the days to come.\u201d<\/p>\n Lewis-Martin\u2019s press conference<\/a> at the office of her attorney, Arthur Aidala, was a reminder that investigations into Adams and his inner circle are still piling up. Aidala, a friend and donor to Adams, answered in the affirmative when asked if he believed that Manhattan prosecutors were trying to get his client to cooperate in a case against the mayor.<\/p>\n For Adams, those legal troubles may be alleviated by the incoming president.<\/p>\n The Republican has shown sympathy toward the Democratic mayor, and each insists Biden\u2019s Department of Justice is targeting them to seek political retribution.<\/p>\n In Adams\u2019 case, he publicly criticized Biden\u2019s handling of the migrant crisis. And both Adams and Trump say that act spurred the DOJ to action.<\/p>\n \u201cI said he\u2019s going to be indicted,\u201d Trump said Monday during a press briefing at Mar-a-Lago. \u201cAnd a few months later he got indicted. So, I would certainly look into [a pardon].\u201d<\/p>\n Adams referred questions about Trump\u2019s remarks to his attorney and said he hopes the president elect will make the DOJ less politicized.<\/p>\n “I think that what President-elect Trump has gone through is allowing him to see that if the Justice Department is doing what President Biden stated, such as being politicized, I believe he owes it to Americans to make sure that\u2019s not the case,\u201d Adams said.<\/p>\n A pardon from Trump would almost certainly be a political liability for Adams in a Democratic primary, in which left-of-center voters typically flock to the polls. In the last general election, Trump lost the city 68-30<\/a> \u2014 proving it remains an anti-Trump Democratic stronghold, even as he made significant gains statewide<\/a>.<\/p>\n Whether any of Adams\u2019 lesser-known opponents can effectively wield that against him remains to be seen, but early signs show most of them are trying that line of attack \u2014 presuming voters will be turned off by any whiff of MAGA affiliation.<\/p>\n Adams had steered clear of criticizing Trump \u2014 or stumping for Kamala Harris \u2014 during the campaign. Since Election Day, he hosted the incoming border czar at his official residence of Gracie Mansion to discuss immigration policy, and has spoken enthusiastically about Elon Musk\u2019s high-level role in the incoming White House.<\/p>\n \u201cI should not have been charged,\u201d Adams said at Monday\u2019s press briefing. \u201cGod has a way of showing the irony of life: I\u2019m just saying the same thing that President Biden said. President Biden stated his Justice Department has been politicized. President Trump stated that. I stated that.\u201d<\/p>\n He was referring to Biden\u2019s pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, and the president\u2019s subsequent statement alleging his own DOJ was engaging in politically motivated selective prosecution.<\/p>\n Adams\u2019 no-good Monday came as things were starting to look up for the mayor.<\/p>\n Earlier this month, City Council members approved<\/a>Adams\u2019 signature housing plan. He joined a politically influential union to announce a populist state measure to provide tax relief to low-wage workers<\/a>. And the NYPD helped catch the 26-year-old suspect in the murder of the UnitedHealthcare CEO \u2014 with a hefty assist from a fast food worker in Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n Back in City Hall, Adams pushed out top advisers who were ensnared in local and federal probes at the behest of Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has the power to remove him from office<\/a>. That group of embattled aides \u2014 including the former police commissioner, schools chancellor and two deputy mayors \u2014 has been replaced by government veterans whom insiders generally regard as serious and competent.<\/p>\n