Group of Black lawmakers blast effort to boot Mayor Adams, warn Hochul of political fallout

A group of Black elected officials from across NYC are warning Gov. Hochul she’ll pay a steep political price if she takes the unprecedented step to remove Mayor Adams from office in the wake of a Department of Justice motion to dismiss his corruption indictment.

In a letter to the governor obtained by the Daily News, the lawmakers wrote they wanted to make it “crystal clear” that “we strongly oppose any move to remove Mayor Adams.”

The missive was signed by nearly a dozen legislators – including state senators and assembly members — and expressed their opposition to any effort to oust Adams before the city’s June primary.

“At this critical moment for our city, we want to be crystal clear: we strongly oppose any move to remove Mayor Adams,” the letter to Hochul says.

“As Black legislators we have seen this over and over again: double standards and unfair process when it comes to our leaders. If a move against the mayor is made without a justifiable legal reason, our communities will never forget it.”

The lawmakers signing the letter were Assembly members Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn and Nikki Lucas from Brooklyn: Queens state Sens. Leroy Comrie and James Sanders Jr., and Assembly members Alicia Hyndman and Clyde Vanel; Bronx Assembly member Chantel Jackson; and Manhattan/ Harlem Assembly member Al Taylor.

The warning came hours after Hochul met with political figures in the wake of concerns over Adams’ ability to govern effectively after half of his deputy mayors quit following efforts by the federal justice department to drop corruption charges against him.

Critics charge that Adams cut a deal with President Trump, putting his freedom above the interests of New Yorkers — and have urged Hochul to remove him from office if he doesn’t resign on his own. The mayor has denied there was any quid pro quo.

Hochul, who has expressed concern about the City Hall firestorm, said she would at least wait until a federal judge late Wednesday gets an explanation from prosecutors about why the charges should be dropped.

“I recognize the immense responsibility I hold as governor and the constitutional powers granted to this office,” Hochul said in a statement earlier this week. “In the 235 years of New York State history, these powers have never been utilized to remove a duly-elected mayor; overturning the will of the voters is a serious step that should not be taken lightly. That said, the alleged conduct at City Hall that has been reported over the past two weeks is troubling and cannot be ignored.”

But regardless of what the judge feels about it, the letter writers said Hochul should butt out.

“There is no constitutional reason we can see why he should be removed from office,” the letter asserts.

“There is an election in June, and New Yorkers can once again determine their leadership then. Elections give the ability for voters to choose who they want to represent them. New Yorkers will recognize that once this difficult period is behind us.”

The lawmakers ended the letter insisting that Adams be allowed “to remain at the helm,” arguing “New York City, working people, and communities of color are far better off with the consistency of the sitting mayor.”