New York City Mayor Eric Adams finds himself embroiled in a series of challenges that could potentially jeopardize his political career. These challenges, including an ongoing FBI investigation into his campaign finances and a recent accusation of sexual assault, are reminiscent of former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s downfall. Adams’ fate now rests with his own party, as Democrats’ reactions to these potential scandals may determine the course of his administration.
The latest blow to Adams came with a woman filing a court summons in Manhattan, accusing him of sexual assault that allegedly occurred in 1993 while they both worked for the City of New York. Political expert Nicholas Giordano draws a parallel between Adams and Cuomo, stating that it wasn’t the nursing home scandal that brought down Cuomo, but the sexual harassment claims. Similarly, it may be the sexual harassment claim from 1993 that poses a significant threat to Adams’ political career.
In addition to the sexual assault allegation, Adams is also the subject of an FBI probe. The investigation revolves around allegations of pressuring FDNY officials to open a Manhattan skyscraper that now serves as the Turkish consulate, despite safety concerns. The FBI has seized Adams’ electronic devices as part of the investigation, which is focused on whether his 2021 campaign received illegal donations from the Turkish government. Adams, however, maintains his innocence and asserts that he will fully cooperate with the investigation.
While dealing with these challenges, Adams is also grappling with the effects of the worsening migrant crisis on New York City. Republican governors, Greg Abbott of Texas and Ron DeSantis of Florida, have been sending migrants to Democrat-run cities like New York as a response to their opposition to GOP border policies. Adams’ criticism of President Biden’s handling of the open borders issue has potentially alienated him from fellow Democrats, who may now be reluctant to support him in the face of these scandals.
Giordano emphasizes that Adams’ ability to overcome these challenges largely depends on his fellow Democrats’ support. If Democrats turn against him, it could spell the beginning of the end for his administration. However, Giordano notes a significant difference between Adams and Cuomo’s sexual misconduct allegations. Adams’ claim stems from a 1993 incident that he claims not to recall, while Cuomo’s allegations were recent and involved abuse of power. Giordano suggests that the Turkish involvement in Adams’ campaign finances and the ongoing FBI investigation may pose a more serious threat.
The court summons filed by the woman accusing Adams of sexual assault does not provide specific details, but it serves as legal notice to trigger a lawsuit. Adams denies knowing the accuser and vehemently denies the allegations.
As Adams navigates these challenges, his political future remains uncertain. Whether he can make a comeback or suffer the same fate as Cuomo depends on how his fellow Democrats respond and the outcome of the ongoing investigations.
