Challenges Faced by Eric Adams: Obstacles and Turning Points
A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Eric Adams's life and career.
Eric Leroy Adams is the current mayor of New York City, assuming office in 2022. Prior to his political career, Adams served over 20 years in the New York City Police Department, retiring as a captain. He transitioned to politics, serving in the New York State Senate from 2006 to 2013, representing Brooklyn's 20th district. Subsequently, he was elected Brooklyn Borough President in 2013, making history as the first Black American to hold the role, and was re-elected in 2017. His career spans law enforcement and public service in New York City.
1986: Incident with fellow police officers
In 1986, while working as a plainclothes officer, white police officers raised their guns at Eric Adams, mistaking him for a suspect.
1993: Controversial comments in mayoral election
During the 1993 mayoral election, Eric Adams made a controversial comment about Herman Badillo's marriage, causing turmoil for David Dinkins, who ultimately lost the election.
1993: Sexual assault accusation
In 1993, Eric Adams was accused in a lawsuit of sexual assault by a former coworker while they were both city employees. The lawsuit also included accusations of battery, employment discrimination, retaliation, a hostile work environment, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
1993: Alleged Sexual Assault in Legal Complaint
In 1993, as detailed in a legal complaint, Adams allegedly drove a woman to a vacant lot and sexually assaulted her by soliciting oral sex in exchange for career advancement.
1994: Failed Congressional Run
In 1994, Eric Adams ran for Congress against Major Owens but failed to get enough signatures to make the ballot. He alleged theft of his petition signatures, but police found no evidence.
2006: NYPD Investigation
In 2006, Eric Adams was investigated by the NYPD for criticizing Mayor Michael Bloomberg in his capacity as a police officer, leading to charges of disseminating misinformation and speaking without permission. He retired from the police force shortly after.
2014: One Brooklyn Fund Established
In 2014, Eric Adams established the One Brooklyn Fund, a nonprofit for community programs, which was later criticized for potentially serving Adams's public profile and allowing "pay to play" contributions. The Department of Investigation (DOI) investigated the fund in 2014.
2014: Alleged Misconduct as Brooklyn Borough President
In 2014, during his tenure as Brooklyn Borough President, Eric Adams allegedly received luxury travel and benefits from Turkish individuals, leading to a series of investigations in September 2024.
2016: DOI Investigation of Adams's Office
In 2016, the Department of Investigation (DOI) found that Eric Adams' office mistakenly licensed Brooklyn Borough Hall for a Mayor's Office event.
November 20, 2020: Indoor Fundraiser Criticism
On November 20, 2020, Eric Adams attended an indoor fundraiser shortly after announcing his mayoral run, drawing criticism due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
October 2021: Vaccine Mandate Introduced
In October 2021, the vaccine mandate was introduced by Adams's predecessor but kept in place by Adams.
2021: Resettling Migrants
During the years of 2021 to 2022, the Adams administration resettled 114 migrant households, who entered New York City from the Mexico-United States southern border, to countries like China and other states within the United States. The migrants were seeking political asylum.
February 14, 2022: City Workers Fired Over Vaccine Refusal
On February 14, 2022, 1,430 New York City municipal workers were fired for refusing COVID-19 vaccination.
March 2022: Vaccine and Mask Mandates Ended/Modified
In March 2022, Eric Adams ended the city's vaccine mandate for indoor settings and mask mandate in public schools, while creating an exemption for athletes and performers.
March 16, 2022: Plainclothes Police Unit Revived
On March 16, 2022, Eric Adams officially revived a police unit made up of plainclothes officers, which had been disbanded by de Blasio in 2020.
April 11, 2022: COVID-19 Diagnosis and Subway Shooting Response
On April 11, 2022, Eric Adams was diagnosed with COVID-19 and, while in quarantine, responded to a mass shooting on a New York City Subway train, calling for measures to address gun violence.
June 7, 2022: Approval Rating Drops
On June 7, 2022, a poll found that Eric Adams's approval rating had dropped to 29%, with 76% of New Yorkers worried about violent crime.
June 2022: Affordable Housing Blueprint Unveiled
In June 2022, Eric Adams unveiled his administration's "comprehensive blueprint" for affordable housing, which was critiqued for lacking specific plans for rezoning or estimating new housing units.
2022: Resettling Migrants
During the years of 2021 to 2022, the Adams administration resettled 114 migrant households, who entered New York City from the Mexico-United States southern border, to countries like China and other states within the United States. The migrants were seeking political asylum.
March 2023: Plans for Office Building Conversion
In March 2023, the New York City Department of City Planning advanced plans to convert vacant office buildings into affordable housing, with Eric Adams proposing controversial "dormitory style accommodations".
June 23, 2023: Veto of Housing Voucher Legislation
On June 23, 2023, Eric Adams vetoed legislation to increase eligibility for housing vouchers, implementing part of the legislation via executive order.
July 13, 2023: Veto Overridden by City Council
On July 13, 2023, the City Council overrode Eric Adams's veto of the housing voucher legislation, marking the first veto override since the Bloomberg administration.
July 2023: Migrant Housing Crisis
In July 2023, during the New York City migrant housing crisis, Eric Adams stated that the city was running out of room and resources for the influx of migrants.
August 2023: Accusations of Slow Action on Migrant Crisis
In August 2023, Governor Kathy Hochul's lawyer accused Eric Adams of slow action and failure to accept aid offers regarding the migrant crisis.
September 2023: Warning on Migrant Crisis Impact
In September 2023, Eric Adams warned that the migrant crisis could "destroy" New York City.
November 12, 2023: FBI Investigation Report
On November 12, 2023, The New York Times reported that the FBI's investigation of Adams was partly related to alleged influence by the Turkish government regarding its consulate in Manhattan.
November 2023: Lawsuit Accusation
In November 2023, Eric Adams faced a lawsuit alleging sexual assault from an anonymous former coworker from 1993, including additional claims of battery, employment discrimination, and creating a hostile work environment. Adams denied the accusations.
November 22, 2023: Sexual Assault Lawsuit Filed
On November 22, 2023, a Florida woman filed a sexual assault lawsuit against Adams under the New York Adult Survivors Act.
December 2023: United Federation of Teachers Lawsuit
In December 2023, the United Federation of Teachers filed a lawsuit against Eric Adams to prevent a $550 million cut to education funding.
January 30, 2024: City Council Overrides Veto
On January 30, 2024, the New York City Council overrode Mayor Adams' veto of the How Many Stops Act, which limits solitary confinement in city jails and requires detailed police documentation of public encounters.
March 18, 2024: Legal Complaint Filed
On March 18, 2024, a legal complaint was filed detailing alleged events in 1993, accusing Adams of sexual assault and other misconduct.
September 2024: Investigations and Indictment
In September 2024, Eric Adams faced federal charges of bribery, fraud, and soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations, marking him as the first NYC mayor charged with federal crimes while in office. He pleaded not guilty.
September 25, 2024: Adams Indicted in Sealed Case
On September 25, 2024, Eric Adams was indicted in a sealed case, prompting calls for his resignation from multiple politicians.
February 10, 2025: DOJ Instructed to Drop Charges
On February 10, 2025, the Department of Justice under President Trump instructed federal prosecutors to drop charges against Adams due to concerns about publicity and interference with his ability to govern, prompting resignations and accusations of an illicit deal.
February 2025: Charges Dropped
In February 2025, under the Donald Trump administration, the Department of Justice instructed federal prosecutors to drop charges against Eric Adams without prejudice.
November 2025: Further Review of Adams Case
In November 2025, a further review of Adams’ case was to occur following the general election.
