NEW YORK — New York City Mayor Eric Adams plans to satisfy with Donald Trump in Florida on Friday, one other pleasant overture to the president-elect by a Democrat awaiting trial on federal corruption costs.
The aim of the discuss is to “focus on New Yorkers’ priorities,” the mayor’s spokesperson, Fabien Levy, mentioned in a brief assertion Thursday. “The mayor seems ahead to having a productive dialog with the incoming president on how we are able to transfer our metropolis and nation ahead,” he mentioned.
Adams left New York City for Florida on Thursday, in accordance with his public schedule.
It isn’t uncommon to see such fence-mending or unity-seeking conferences throughout presidential transitions, however Adams’ outreach to Trump has been scrutinized by critics who see it as an act of self-preservation.
The Democrat is scheduled to go on trial in April on costs that he accepted luxurious journey perks and unlawful marketing campaign contributions from international nationals in trade for corrupt acts.
As president, Trump would have the ability to pardon Adams. He might additionally probably stress the Justice Division to drop the fees. Adams, who has pleaded not responsible, has indicated that he’s open to accepting a pardon.
Even earlier than the election, Adams started voicing a need to work with Trump, arguing that the federal authorities and the town need to work collectively even when there are differing political opinions.
Trump has additionally expressed heat for Adams. After the mayor was indicted, Trump mentioned he suspected the fees have been introduced as a result of Adams had criticized President Joe Biden’s immigration insurance policies.
Trump himself was convicted final 12 months in state court docket in New York of falsifying data at his enterprise, although a decide declined to impose any punishment at sentencing, citing constitutional hurdles.
A few of Adams’ seemingly opponents on this 12 months’s mayoral Democratic major criticized the upcoming assembly.
“Pardon me? The Trump agenda shouldn’t be going to assist transfer our metropolis or the nation ahead. This pilgrimage is clearly about one thing else,” State Sen. Zellnor Myrie mentioned on X.
New York Metropolis Comptroller Brad Lander, one other candidate for mayor, mentioned Adams ought to “state instantly that he won’t search or settle for a pardon from Donald Trump.”
“New Yorkers need to know that their Mayor is placing their pursuits forward of his personal – and whether or not our tax {dollars}, or Turkish Airlines, can be financing his journey to Florida,” Lander wrote on X.
Adams and Trump are partially aligned, politically, on some immigration issues. Adams has mentioned he’s in favor of doing extra to deport immigrants accused of crimes.
In December, Adams met with Trump’s incoming “Border Czar” Tom Homan. Adams has lengthy been vital of New York City ordinances that restrict cooperation between metropolis regulation enforcement officers and federal immigration enforcement businesses.
