A federal judge on Wednesday officially dismissed the criminal charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a decision that came weeks after the Donald Trump administration ordered prosecutors to drop the case, BBC reported
The dismissal, which is permanent and “with prejudice,” ensures the Department of Justice cannot refile charges based on the same evidence.
Adams had faced charges including conspiracy, fraud, bribery, and soliciting illegal campaign contributions, stemming from an indictment last year in which he was accused of accepting over $100,000 in gifts from Turkish nationals in exchange for political favours.
However, the case took a turn in February when Emil Bove, acting deputy attorney general and a Trump appointee, directed New York prosecutors to drop the case, claiming it hindered the mayor’s ability to tackle critical issues like immigration and violent crime, key priorities for the Trump administration.
The decision sparked controversy and led to the resignation of Manhattan’s top federal prosecutor, Danielle Sassoon, and six other high-ranking Justice officials, who claimed the dismissal was politically motivated and lacked legal merit.
In a scathing 78-page ruling on Wednesday, US District Judge Dale Ho said he was unconvinced by the Justice Department’s logic that the case against Adams was preventing the mayor from enforcing the administration’s immigration actions.
“Everything here smacks of a bargain: dismissal of the Indictment in exchange for immigration policy concessions,” he said.
Ho emphasized that dismissing the case without prejudice would have created the impression that Adams’ freedom was tied to fulfilling federal demands.
Despite the ruling, the DOJ defended its action, calling the case an example of political weaponisation.
“Dismissing the case without prejudice would create the unavoidable perception that the mayor’s freedom depends on his ability to carry out the immigration enforcement priorities of the administration, and that he might be more beholden to the demands of the federal government than to the wishes of his own constituents,” the judge wrote.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday after the case was dismissed, Adams said the case “should have never been brought and I did nothing wrong”.
With the mayoral race just months away, Adams confirmed he intends to run for re-election, stating confidently, “And you know what, I’m gonna win.”
