As Mayor Eric Adams faced announcements Monday that his campaign hadn’t qualified for matching funds and his close friend and adviser would likely be indicted, President-elect Donald Trump offered him more promising news: He would consider pardoning Adams, advancing the possibility that the Republican incoming president would help a Democratic mayor who he sees as similarly politically targeted.
“I think that he was treated pretty unfairly,” Trump said Monday at his first post-election press conference, during which he answered questions on far-ranging topics.
Trump said he did not know all the facts of the case, but said about the pardon, “I would certainly look at it.”
A possible alliance between Trump and Adams has become a hot topic in New York City political circles. In recent weeks, Adams has expressed a growing political simpatico with the MAGA Republican on issues of public safety, immigration and their hostility toward the press.
Adams has been accused of accepting bribes and illegal campaign donations from Turkish officials in a five-count federal indictment. He has pleaded not guilty. His trial is expected to begin in April.
At his weekly City Hall press conference, Adams largely avoided questions about the campaign finance ruling and a possible indictment of his former chief adviser, Ingrid Lewis-Martin. But asked about a presidential pardon, he said he would let his attorney “look at every avenue.”
“God has a way of showing the irony of life,” he added. “I’m just saying the same thing that President Biden said. President Biden stated his Justice Department has been politicized. President Trump stated that, and I’ve stated that.”
Trump has long framed legal cases against himself as the products of political vendettas, and Trump and Adams have both argued that federal prosecutors indicted the mayor in part because he criticized the Biden administration’s handling of an influx of migrants. Earlier this month, when Biden pardoned his son, Hunter, Biden also said that his son’s prosecution was driven by politics.
As president, Trump could elect to pardon Adams before or after his trial is concluded.
The mayor on Monday said he has not spoken to Trump since running into him last month at a Madison Square Garden boxing event. He also said he has not discussed receiving a pardon with Trump.
On Monday, Trump specifically questioned the allegation that Adams accepted illegal flight upgrades from Turkish officials.
“I know everybody here has been upgraded,” Trump said.
Federal prosecutors say the mayor accepted more than $100,000 in travel perks, including hotel stays.