Eric Adams, mayor of New York, middle, in the course of the sixtieth presidential inauguration in Emancipation Corridor of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, US, on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.
Al Drago/Pool by way of REUTERS
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Mayor Eric Adams’ last-minute resolution to attend newly sworn-in Republican President Donald Trump’s Monday inauguration drew swift backlash from a lot of his fellow New York Democrats, even together with one among his shut allies.
In response to Metropolis Corridor, Adams attended Trump’s inauguration on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20 simply hours after being invited by the president’s crew early Monday morning. He canceled his public schedule, which included Martin Luther King Jr. Day occasions within the 5 boroughs, to journey to DC for the occasion.
The transfer shortly led different native Democrats to invest that Adams attended the inauguration as one more alleged show of fealty to Trump as he hopes for a presidential pardon from his federal indictment. These Democrats included Rev. Al Sharpton, an Adams ally who has stood by his facet within the wake of his federal prices.
“When you look at a lot of what the New York press has been questioning on whether or not the mayor is trying to be pardoned for some of the indictments that he’s been facing, when you look at he’s had positive things to say about Donald Trump, when he’s been under attack by many of us, to say you’re not going to raise your eyebrows would be being dishonest,” Sharpton stated on Monday morning throughout a Morning Joe interview. “I think that this will cause a lot of us to say, ‘What is this all about?’”
Mayor Eric Adams shakes arms with Rev. Al Sharpton throughout an MLK Day weekend occasion in Harlem on Jan. 18, 2025.NYC Mayoral Pictures Unit
Sharpton’s feedback spotlight that Adams’ pleasant stance towards Trump could also be beginning to alienate the Democratic allies who’ve stood by him within the aftermath of his indictment. They present that Adams, who’s operating for re-election within the June Democratic major, is taking a political threat by making an attempt to curry favor with Trump — a determine most different Democrats detest for his far-right stances on points from immigration to local weather change.
The mayor’s jaunt to DC got here shortly after he traveled to Florida on Friday to privately meet Trump on the president’s Palm Seaside golf course. He has insisted the assembly was to advocate for the town’s wants and that they didn’t talk about his authorized points.
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, a frequent Adams critic, stated it was “pretty disappointing” that Adams attended the inauguration as a substitute of staying within the metropolis to assist New Yorkers involved concerning the potential influence of Trump’s second time period.
“It just seems to me that the mayor decided that he’s going to make decisions that are based on what’s best for him, as opposed to what’s best for New York City,” Williams advised reporters following an MLK Day occasion in Manhattan on Monday morning. “That’s where I’m most concerned.”
“Some that should be here celebrating Dr. King with us in this room have chosen to go to Washington to celebrate Felon 47,” Metropolis Council Speaker Adrienne Adams stated throughout an MLK Day occasion in Brooklyn on Jan. 20, 2025, referring to the forty seventh Precinct’s conviction on 34 felony counts final yr.John McCarten/NYC Council Media Unit
Adams was additionally taken to job by a few of his re-election rivals, together with metropolis Comptroller Brad Lander and state Sen. Zellnor Myrie (D-Brooklyn).
Even Metropolis Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who is commonly at odds with the mayor however shies away from instantly criticizing him, appeared to take a swipe at him.
The speaker, throughout an MLK Day occasion on the Brooklyn Academy of Music on Monday, which the mayor had deliberate to attend, appeared to say Hizzoner “should” be celebrating Dr. King within the metropolis as a substitute of Trump in DC.
“Some that should be here celebrating Dr. King with us in this room have chosen to go to Washington to celebrate Felon 47,” the speaker stated, referring to the forty seventh Precinct’s conviction on 34 felony counts final yr.
“Every elected official can make their own decision,” Hochul stated following an occasion in higher Manhattan. “I’m glad I’m here today in Harlem.”
