A federal judge has dismissed the corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, marking a significant turn in a high-profile case. Judge Dale Ho ruled on Wednesday (April 2) to dismiss the charges with prejudice, meaning they cannot be refiled, despite the Trump administration's desire to retain the option to revive them.
The case, which accused Adams of bribery, wire fraud, and soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals, was initially brought by the Justice Department under President Joe Biden's administration. However, the Trump administration sought to drop the charges, arguing they hindered Adams' ability to focus on immigration enforcement.
Judge Ho's decision criticized the Justice Department's rationale, stating that dismissing the case without prejudice could create the perception that Adams' freedom depended on his compliance with federal immigration policies. Ho emphasized that such an arrangement would be incompatible with the principle of equal justice under the law.
The dismissal follows recommendations from court-appointed attorney Paul Clement, who advised against allowing the Justice Department to hold the threat of refiled charges over Adams. The decision also comes amid resignations from Justice Department officials who opposed the handling of the case.
Mayor Adams, who is running for reelection, expressed relief at the decision. His lawyer, Alex Spiro, maintained that the case should never have been brought. Adams echoed this sentiment, stating, "I'm now happy that our city can finally close the book on this and focus solely on the future of our great city."