Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., criticized the Justice Department's decision to drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, calling the move "saturated in corruption" and linking it to broader political trends under the Trump administration, The Hill reported.
Rep. Raskin sharply rebuked the Justice Department's decision to dismiss corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, arguing that the move reflects a troubling pattern in the Trump administration.
"The whole thing is saturated in corruption," Raskin said Friday on NewsNation's "CUOMO." "To me, it reflects the larger theme of what this administration is about."
The Justice Department formally moved to dismiss the charges against Adams in a Friday filing following the abrupt resignation of several federal prosecutors who refused to drop the case.
The decision, made despite no wrongdoing cited by prosecutors, has sparked controversy over handling the case and its implications for the justice system.
Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove defended the move, arguing that continuing the proceedings would interfere with Adams' governability.
Bove stated in the filing that allowing the case to proceed would pose "unacceptable threats to public safety, national security, and related federal immigration initiatives and policies."
Adams was indicted in September on five counts related to allegedly accepting and seeking "improper valuable benefits" from businessmen and at least one Turkish government official. The mayor has consistently denied the allegations, framing them as politically motivated due to his vocal criticism of the Biden administration's handling of immigration.
The Justice Department's move has drawn intense scrutiny, with critics questioning whether political considerations influenced the decision. The departure of federal prosecutors who refused to comply has added to concerns about political pressure within the agency.
In a statement, Bondi's chief of staff Chad Mizelle defended the decision to dismiss the charges, saying it showed "that this DOJ will return to its core function of prosecuting dangerous criminals, not pursuing politically motivated witch hunts," BBC reported.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul possesses the authority to dismiss Adams from his position. While she hasn't explicitly stated that she would pursue this option, she has also suggested that it remains a possibility, mentioning on MSNBC that she is "consulting with other leaders in government at this time."
"The allegations are extremely concerning and serious," she remarked. "But I cannot, as the governor of this state, have a knee-jerk, politically motivated reaction."
Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.