History of Eric Adams in Timeline

Share: FB Share X Share Reddit Share Reddit Share
Eric Adams

Eric Leroy Adams is the current mayor of New York City, elected in 2022. Prior to his mayoral role, Adams had a career in law enforcement, serving over 20 years in the New York City Transit Police and later the NYPD, retiring as a captain. His political career includes serving in the New York State Senate representing Brooklyn's 20th district from 2006 to 2013. Adams also made history as the first Black American elected as Brooklyn Borough President in 2013, a position he held until becoming mayor.

1938: Birth of Dorothy Mae Adams-Streeter

In 1938, Dorothy Mae Adams-Streeter, Eric Adams's mother, was born. She worked as a housecleaner and had a third-grade education.

September 1, 1960: Eric Adams Born

On September 1, 1960, Eric Leroy Adams was born. He later became an American politician and the 110th mayor of New York City.

1962: Engel v. Vitale Supreme Court Decision

In 1962, the Supreme Court decided in Engel v. Vitale that school prayer was unconstitutional, a decision that Eric Adams disagreed with in February 2023.

1968: Family Moved to South Jamaica, Queens

In 1968, Eric Adams's family moved from Bushwick, Brooklyn, to South Jamaica, Queens, after his mother saved enough money to buy a house.

1969: John Lindsay's Mayoral Campaign

In 1969, John Lindsay ran for mayor without the nomination of either major party. Adams became the first incumbent mayor to do so since Lindsay.

January 1979: Graduated from Bayside High School

In January 1979, Eric Adams graduated from Bayside High School in Queens.

1984: Graduated from Police Academy

In 1984, Eric Adams graduated second in his class from the New York City Police Academy.

1986: Mistaken for a suspect by fellow officers

In 1986, while working as a plainclothes officer, Eric Adams, who is Black, had guns raised at him by white police officers who mistook him for a suspect.

1993: Controversial Comment During Mayoral Election

During the 1993 mayoral election, Eric Adams made a controversial comment about Herman Badillo, a candidate for New York State Comptroller, stating that Badillo should have married a Hispanic woman if he cared about the Hispanic community. These comments caused controversy for David Dinkins, who ultimately lost the election.

1993: David Dinkins Leaves Office

In 1993, David Dinkins left office; he was the first mayor of African American descent before Eric Adams.

1993: Alleged Sexual Assault Incident

In 1993, Eric Adams allegedly drove a woman to a vacant lot and asked her for oral sex in exchange for career advancement. When she refused, he allegedly forced her to touch his penis and ejaculated on her leg, according to a legal complaint filed in 2024.

1994: Failed Congressional Run

In 1994, Eric Adams ran for Congress against incumbent Major Owens in the Democratic primary for New York's 11th congressional district but failed to get enough signatures to make the ballot. He claimed his signatures had been stolen.

1995: Escorted Mike Tyson and co-founded 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care

In 1995, Eric Adams escorted Mike Tyson upon his release from jail. That same year, he co-founded 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care, an advocacy group for black police officers.

1996: Beginning of Approval Rating Tracking

In 1996, the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute began polling mayoral approval ratings in New York City.

1997: Registered as Republican

In 1997, Eric Adams registered as a Republican before switching back to the Democratic Party.

1999: Lawmakers Last Received A Raise

In 1999, lawmakers in New York received their last pay raise before Eric Adams advocated for another one in 2007.

2000: US Commission on Civil Rights commented on NYPD Stop and Frisk policy

In 2000, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights commented on the NYPD's "stop and frisk" policy, stating that it constituted racial profiling. Eric Adams was a vocal opponent of the policy.

2001: Switched Back to Democratic Party

In 2001, Eric Adams switched back to the Democratic Party after registering as a Republican in 1997.

2006: Received MPA from Marist College

In 2006, Eric Adams received an MPA from Marist College, adding to his previous degrees from New York City College of Technology and John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

2006: Elected to New York State Senate

In 2006, Eric Adams was elected to the New York State Senate, representing the 20th Senate District.

2006: Investigated by NYPD and retired

In 2006, Eric Adams was investigated by the NYPD for critiquing Mayor Michael Bloomberg on television while in his official capacity as a police officer. He retired from the police force with the rank of captain after being found guilty of violating department policies.

2007: Supported Pay Raise for New York Lawmakers

In 2007, as a freshman state senator, Eric Adams supported a pay raise for New York's lawmakers, saying, "Show me the money."

2009: Worked to Nominate John L. Sampson and voted in favor of marriage equality

In 2009, Eric Adams worked to foster a compromise to nominate John L. Sampson as the Minority Leader of the New York State Senate. That same year, Adams voted in favor of marriage equality in New York State.

February 2010: Voted Against Expelling Senator Hiram Monserrate

In February 2010, Eric Adams was one of just eight members of the New York Senate who voted not to expel Senator Hiram Monserrate after he was convicted of assault.

2010: Chaired Senate Racing and Wagering Committee and faced investigation

In 2010, Eric Adams became Chair of the Senate Racing and Wagering Committee. He was later investigated for his handling of the gambling operation at the Aqueduct Racetrack, but no action was taken by the Department of Justice.

July 24, 2011: New York's Marriage Equality Act Came Into Effect

On July 24, 2011, New York's Marriage Equality Act came into effect, after Eric Adams supported and voted to legalize same-sex marriage in New York.

2011: Supported Federal Investigation into Stop-and-Frisk

In 2011, Eric Adams supported calling for a federal investigation into stop-and-frisk practices by the NYPD and championed a bill to stop the NYPD from gathering data about individuals who had been stopped but not charged.

March 12, 2012: Protested Shooting of Trayvon Martin

On March 12, 2012, Eric Adams and five other state lawmakers wore hooded sweatshirts in the legislative chamber in protest of the shooting of Trayvon Martin.

November 5, 2013: Elected Brooklyn Borough President

On November 5, 2013, Eric Adams was elected Brooklyn Borough President with 90.8 percent of the vote.

2013: Elected Brooklyn Borough President

In 2013, Eric Adams became the first Black American to be elected Brooklyn Borough President.

2014: Commented on Killings of Eric Garner and NYPD Officers

In 2014, Eric Adams criticized the use of excessive force in the arrest of Eric Garner and the arrest of postal carrier Glen Grays. After the killings of NYPD officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos, Adams called for police officers and the community to work together to build a relationship of mutual respect.

2014: Establishment and Investigation of One Brooklyn Fund

In 2014, Eric Adams established the One Brooklyn Fund, a nonprofit organization. In the same year, his office was investigated by the city Department of Investigation (DOI) regarding fundraising practices for the fund.

2014: Philip Banks FBI Investigation

In 2014, Philip Banks III, later hired by Adams, was under federal investigation by the FBI and resigned from the police force.

2014: Allegations of Misconduct Date Back to 2014

The allegations for which Adams was indicted date back to 2014, when he was Brooklyn Borough President. He is accused of receiving luxury travel and other benefits from Turkish individuals and pressuring the New York City Fire Department to open a Turkish consular building without a fire inspection.

July 14, 2016: Bill Passed Requiring Lactation Rooms in Municipal Buildings

On July 14, 2016, a bill introduced by Eric Adams was passed by the New York City Council, requiring all municipal buildings providing services to the public to have lactation rooms.

2016: Adoption of a plant-based diet

In 2016, Eric Adams switched to a plant-based diet after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. He researched alternatives to insulin and consulted with physicians. He adopted a whole food plant-based diet, removing animal products, processed sugar, salt, oil, and processed starches, and began exercising regularly. Within six months, he reversed his diabetes, reduced his blood pressure and cholesterol, and lost 30 lb (14 kg).

2016: Diagnosed with Type Two Diabetes and Adopted Plant-Based Diet

In 2016, after being diagnosed with type two diabetes, Eric Adams adopted and began advocating for policies promoting a plant-based diet and healthier lifestyles.

2016: DOI Finding Regarding Brooklyn Borough Hall Use

In 2016, the DOI found that Eric Adams's office had mistakenly licensed the use of Brooklyn Borough Hall for a Mayor's Office event.

2017: Re-elected Brooklyn Borough President

In 2017, Eric Adams was re-elected as Brooklyn Borough President with 83.0 percent of the vote.

February 14, 2018: Joining Student Efforts for Stricter Gun Laws

On February 14, 2018, following the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Eric Adams joined Brooklyn students in organizing an emergency meeting and rally to demand stricter gun laws.

2019: "Cracker" Comment

In 2019, Eric Adams boasted about being a better cop than his "cracker" colleagues.

February 2020: Statement on "Stop and Frisk" Policy

In February 2020, Eric Adams stated his view that a police department should be able to stop and question individuals, which was during his State Senate tenure. While he opposed NYPD's "stop and frisk" policy, he supported it during his 2021 mayoral campaign.

October 2020: Publication of 'Healthy at Last'

In October 2020, Eric Adams published his plant-based advocacy cookbook, "Healthy at Last: A Plant-Based Approach to Preventing and Reversing Diabetes and Other Chronic Illnesses," which also chronicles his health journey.

Healthy at Last: A Plant-Based Approach to Preventing and Reversing Diabetes and Other Chronic Illnesses
Healthy at Last: A Plant-Based Approach to Preventing and Reversing Diabetes and Other Chronic Illnesses

November 17, 2020: Announcement of Mayoral Candidacy

On November 17, 2020, Eric Adams announced his candidacy for Mayor of New York City in the 2021 election.

November 20, 2020: Attendance at Indoor Fundraiser Amid Pandemic

On November 20, 2020, shortly after announcing his mayoral run, Eric Adams attended an indoor fundraiser with 18 people, drawing criticism due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

2020: De Blasio Disbands Plainclothes Police Unit

In 2020, the plainclothes police unit in NYC was disbanded by de Blasio following the murder of George Floyd.

October 2021: Vaccine Mandate Introduction

In October 2021, the vaccine mandate was introduced by Adams's predecessor, which Adams kept in place.

November 2, 2021: Election as Mayor of New York City

On November 2, 2021, Eric Adams was elected Mayor of New York City in a landslide victory against Republican Curtis Sliwa.

November 4, 2021: Announcement to Take Paychecks in Bitcoin

On November 4, 2021, Eric Adams announced that he planned to take his first three paychecks as Mayor in bitcoin and aimed to make New York City the center of the cryptocurrency industry.

December 30, 2021: Brother's Employment in the NYPD

On December 30, 2021, Eric Adams's brother, Bernard, started working in the NYPD as the head of his personal security detail, sparking accusations of nepotism. Bernard's pay was $210,000.

2021: Mayoral Campaign and Stance on Crime

During his 2021 mayoral campaign, Eric Adams supported the "stop and frisk" policy. Adams's standing in the polls grew stronger in May, and he emerged as the frontrunner due to rising crime in New York, which may have benefited Adams.

2021: Investigation into Adams' 2021 Campaign

In 2021, Adams's campaign was under investigation in the Southern District of New York.

2021: Death of Dorothy Mae Adams-Streeter

In 2021, Dorothy Mae Adams-Streeter, Eric Adams's mother, passed away.

2021: Authorized Grant for Plant-Based Curriculum

In 2021, Eric Adams authorized a grant from the borough to SUNY Downstate College of Medicine to establish a plant-based supplemental curriculum.

2021: Contributor to 'Brotha Vegan'

In 2021, Eric Adams contributed to the anthology "Brotha Vegan: Black Men Speak on Food, Identity, Health, and Society".

2021: Mayoral Campaign

In 2021, Eric Adams participated in the mayoral campaign and was a top fundraiser among Democrats, second only to Raymond McGuire regarding the amount raised.

2021: Won Democratic Nomination and Mayoral Election

In 2021, Eric Adams won the Democratic Party's nomination for mayor of New York City after a crowded primary. He subsequently won the general election against Curtis Sliwa and, as mayor, implemented a tough-on-crime approach.

2021: Migrant Resettlement

In 2021, the Adams administration spent $50,000 to relocate 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.

February 14, 2022: Firing of Unvaccinated City Workers

On February 14, 2022, 1,430 New York City municipal workers were fired for refusing COVID-19 vaccination.

February 2022: Questions Emerge About Veganism

In February 2022, after reports of Eric Adams eating fish in public, questions arose regarding his veganism. Adams responded that he generally follows a plant-based diet but is "perfectly imperfect" and occasionally eats fish.

February 2022: Apology for "Cracker" Comments

In early February 2022, a 2019 video surfaced of Eric Adams boasting about being a better cop than his "cracker" colleagues, for which he later apologized.

February 23, 2022: Call for Companies to Rescind Remote Work Policies

On February 23, 2022, Eric Adams urged New York City companies to end remote work policies, emphasizing the need for in-person workers to support local businesses.

March 2022: Easing of COVID-19 Mandates with "Kyrie Carve-Out"

In March 2022, Eric Adams ended the city's vaccine mandate for indoor settings and mask mandate in public schools but created an exemption for athletes and performers, known as the "Kyrie Carve-Out", allowing Kyrie Irving to play home games.

March 16, 2022: Revival of Plainclothes Police Unit

On March 16, 2022, Eric Adams officially revived a police unit made up of plainclothes officers, which had been disbanded in 2020. The unit was disbanded by de Blasio following the murder of George Floyd.

April 11, 2022: COVID-19 Diagnosis and Subway Shooting Response

On April 11, 2022, Eric Adams was diagnosed with COVID-19 and quarantined. During this time, he responded virtually to a subway shooting in Brooklyn, criticizing the overproliferation of guns and suggesting metal detectors in the subway.

April 21, 2022: Assurances Requested Regarding Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day

On April 21, 2022, a Turkish official requested assurances from an Adams staffer that Adams would not make any statement about the Armenian Genocide. The Adams staffer confirmed that Adams would not make a statement, and Adams did not make such a statement.

June 7, 2022: Poll Shows Approval Rating Decline

On June 7, 2022, a poll indicated Eric Adams had a 29% approval rating, and 76% of New Yorkers were worried about becoming victims of violent crime.

June 2022: Unveiling of Affordable Housing Blueprint

In June 2022, Eric Adams unveiled his administration's "comprehensive blueprint" for affordable housing, which was critiqued for being too vague.

December 2022: Hosting 15 Days of Light at Carnegie Hall

In December 2022, Eric Adams and several religious leaders and CEOs hosted 15 Days of Light, celebrating Hanukkah and Kwanzaa at Carnegie Hall, and called for social media companies to address hate speech on their platforms.

2022: Agreement on Medicare Advantage Plan

In 2022, Eric Adams and the Municipal Labor Committee (MLC) agreed on a deal that would move City retirees from traditional Medicare to a new, privately run Medicare Advantage plan.

2022: Became Mayor of New York City

In 2022, Eric Adams became the 110th mayor of New York City.

2022: Migrant Resettlement

In 2022, the Adams administration spent $50,000 to relocate 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.

February 2023: Remarks on Separation of Church and State

In late February 2023, Eric Adams expressed disagreement with the concept of separation of church and state and criticized the Supreme Court's 1962 decision in Engel v. Vitale during an interfaith breakfast.

March 2023: Plans for Office Building Conversions and Housing Proposals

In March 2023, as a result of high office vacancy rates, the New York City Department of City Planning advanced plans to convert vacant office buildings into apartments. Eric Adams faced backlash for proposing "dormitory style accommodations" and apartments without windows.

June 23, 2023: Adams Vetoes Housing Voucher Legislation

On June 23, 2023, Eric Adams vetoed legislation aimed at expanding housing voucher eligibility for homeless individuals under the CityFHEPS program, citing excessive costs and administrative challenges. He partially implemented the legislation via executive order, eliminating a 90-day waiting period for those in shelters. The City Council strongly criticized Adams's arguments. The legislation aimed to increase housing support for vulnerable populations.

June 28, 2023: Adams Accused of Being Controlled by Real-Estate Lobby

On June 28, 2023, during a housing town hall, Jeanie Dubnau, a Holocaust survivor and tenant advocate, accused Adams of being controlled by the real-estate lobby and questioned him about rent increases. Adams responded controversially, comparing Dubnau's behavior to treating someone on a plantation, which led to further criticism.

July 13, 2023: City Council Overrides Mayor's Veto

On July 13, 2023, the City Council overrode Mayor Adams's veto of the housing voucher legislation with a 42-8 vote, marking the first veto override since Michael Bloomberg's administration. This event signaled an escalating conflict between the City Council and the mayor and represented a turning point in their relationship.

July 2023: Warning on Migrant Housing Crisis

In July 2023, during the New York City migrant housing crisis, Eric Adams stated that New York City was running out of room and resources to provide for the influx of roughly 100,000 migrants from the southern border.

August 2023: Accusation of Slow Action on Migrant Crisis

In August 2023, Governor Kathy Hochul's lawyer accused Eric Adams of being slow to act and failing to accept aid offers from the state to manage the migrants.

September 2023: Adams Becomes a Freemason

In September 2023, Eric Adams became a Prince Hall Freemason, along with New York City Police Commissioner Edward Caban. Adams also became a 32nd Degree Member of the Scottish Rite.

September 2023: Warning That Migrant Crisis Could "Destroy" New York City

In September 2023, Eric Adams warned reporters that the migrant crisis could "destroy" New York City.

November 12, 2023: FBI Investigates Adams for Alleged Turkish Influence

On November 12, 2023, The New York Times reported that the FBI was investigating Adams for alleged influence by the Turkish government to approve its consulate in Manhattan without a fire inspection.

November 2023: Adams Accused of Sexual Assault in Lawsuit

In November 2023, a lawsuit accused Adams of sexual assault by a former coworker in 1993, along with other charges like battery and employment discrimination. Adams denied the accusation, stating he did not recognize the accuser.

November 22, 2023: Sexual assault lawsuit filed

On November 22, 2023, Eric Adams was named in a sexual assault lawsuit filed by a Florida woman under the New York Adult Survivors Act.

December 6, 2023: City Council Approves First 'City of Yes' Proposal

On December 6, 2023, the City Council approved the first proposal of Eric Adams's 'City of Yes' zoning changes, aimed at facilitating environmentally-friendly building renovations and rooftop solar installations.

December 2023: Approval Rating at Record Low

In December 2023, a poll showed Eric Adams's approval rating at 28% among registered voters, marking the lowest approval rating for any mayor since 1996.

December 2023: United Federation of Teachers Files Lawsuit

In December 2023, the United Federation of Teachers filed a lawsuit against Eric Adams to prevent a $550 million cut to education funding, marking a significant challenge to his administration's policies.

2023: Agreement on Medicare Advantage Plan

In 2023, Eric Adams and the Municipal Labor Committee (MLC) agreed on a deal that would move City retirees from traditional Medicare to a new, privately run Medicare Advantage plan. Many City retirees have protested the agreement between the Mayor and the MLC.

2023: Appearance in Netflix documentary 'You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment'

In 2023, Eric Adams appeared in the Netflix documentary "You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment", where he claimed to have never used medication for his diabetes, despite previously stating he initially followed his doctor's orders before switching to a plant-based diet.

Loading Video...

January 30, 2024: City Council Overrides Adams's Veto of How Many Stops Act

On January 30, 2024, the New York City Council overrode Mayor Adams's veto of the How Many Stops Act, led by Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. The new law limits solitary confinement in city jails and requires police officers to document detailed notes of encounters with the public.

March 18, 2024: Legal complaint filed detailing alleged 1993 sexual assault

On March 18, 2024, a legal complaint related to the sexual assault lawsuit was filed, alleging that in 1993, Eric Adams sexually assaulted a woman after she was allegedly passed over for a promotion.

March 19, 2024: Denial of Accusation

On March 19, 2024, Eric Adams denied the sexual assault accusation, asserting he had conducted himself with dignity during his 40 years in public life.

May 21, 2024: Adams Creates Charter Revision Commission

On May 21, 2024, Adams established a Charter Revision Commission to propose changes to the New York City Charter. The commission released five proposals to be voted on in November, drawing criticism for allegedly undermining the City Council's power.

June 6, 2024: City Council Approves Second 'City of Yes' Proposal

On June 6, 2024, the City Council approved the second proposal of Eric Adams's 'City of Yes' zoning changes, intended to allow businesses more flexibility in terms of where they can operate.

September 2024: Adams Arraigned and Faces Calls for Resignation

In September 2024, Adams was arraigned in federal court, pleading not guilty. Several Democratic leaders, including U.S. Representative Jerry Nadler and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, called for his resignation, and some officials suggested New York Governor Kathy Hochul remove him from office.

September 2024: Indicted on Federal Charges

In September 2024, Eric Adams was indicted on federal charges of bribery, fraud, and soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations. He pleaded not guilty and alleged retaliation for opposing the Biden administration's migrant crisis handling.

September 2024: Police Commissioner and Chief Counsel Leave Administration

In September 2024, Police Commissioner Edward Caban and Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg left the Adams administration. Reports indicated that Zornberg departed due to Adams's 'refusal to get rid of officials who have come under federal scrutiny'.

September 2024: Investigations Emerge into Adams's Administration

In September 2024, a series of investigations emerged into Adams's administration, highlighting increased scrutiny and potential legal challenges.

September 25, 2024: Adams Indicted on Federal Charges

On September 25, 2024, Adams was indicted on federal charges, becoming the first New York City mayor to be charged with federal crimes while in office. The charges include bribery, conspiracy, fraud, and soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations.

October 4, 2024: Timothy Pearson Leaves Position

As of October 4, 2024, Timothy Pearson, a senior advisor to Adams, left his position. Pearson was the subject of complaints of battery and sexual harassment.

October 7, 2024: Mohamed Bahi Resigns and Is Arrested

On October 7, 2024, Mohamed Bahi, Adams's chief liaison to the Muslim community, resigned and was subsequently arrested on charges related to witness tampering and destruction of evidence in connection with the Southern District of New York’s investigation into Adams’ 2021 campaign.

October 15, 2024: Appointment of Chauncey Parker as Deputy Mayor for Public Safety

On October 15, 2024, Eric Adams appointed Chauncey Parker as the new Deputy Mayor for Public Safety.

October 2024: Multiple Resignations Amidst Federal Scrutiny

In October 2024, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks, Director of Asian Affairs Winnie Greco, First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, and Schools Chancellor David Banks all resigned. Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan also left his position in October 2024; these resignations occurred amidst federal investigations and scrutiny.

October 2024: Approval Rating at 26% Amid Investigations

In October 2024, amidst multiple investigations, a poll found Eric Adams's approval rating to be 26%, with most respondents believing he had committed illegal acts and should resign.

October 26, 2024: Adams Defends Trump, Criticizes Harris

On October 26, 2024, Adams defended former President Donald Trump and criticized Vice President Harris, stating that he did not believe Trump was a fascist.

December 2024: Lewis-Martin Resigns; Maddrey Resigns Amid Misconduct Accusations

In December 2024, Ingrid Lewis-Martin resigned as chief adviser and was later indicted on bribery charges. Also in December 2024, Jeffrey Maddrey, Chief of Department of the New York Police Department, resigned following accusations of sexual misconduct.

December 2024: Vote Scheduled for Third 'City of Yes' Proposal

In December 2024, a vote is scheduled for the third 'City of Yes' proposal, intended to allow 'a little more housing in every neighborhood'. This proposal aims to address the New York City housing shortage but faces opposition due to concerns about changes in low-density neighborhoods.

February 10, 2025: DOJ Instructs Prosecutors to Drop Charges

On February 10, 2025, the Department of Justice under President Trump instructed federal prosecutors to drop charges against Adams, citing concerns that the case was affecting his ability to govern. Danielle Sassoon, the U.S. Attorney in charge, refused to dismiss the charges and later resigned, accusing the administration of an illicit deal. Key officials in the Department of Justice's Public Integrity Section also resigned.

February 2025: Charges Dropped by Department of Justice

In February 2025, the Department of Justice under the Trump administration instructed federal prosecutors to drop charges against Eric Adams.

March 2025: Approval Rating Further Declines to 20%

By March 2025, another poll indicated Eric Adams's approval rating had further declined to just 20%.

April 3, 2025: Adams Runs as Independent

On April 3, 2025, Adams announced he would exit the Democratic primary and run in the general election as an Independent. Adams is the first incumbent mayor to run without the nomination of either major party since John Lindsay in 1969.

April 2025: Adams Rides Subway with Secretary Duffy

In April 2025, Adams invited U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy for a subway ride following Duffy's critical comments about the subway. They discussed crime rates, mental health, and congestion pricing during their 10-minute ride from Brooklyn to Manhattan.

April 2025: Announced Re-election Bid as Independent

In April 2025, Eric Adams announced that he would seek re-election as an independent in the 2025 New York City mayoral election.

April 2025: Indictment Dismissed with Prejudice

In April 2025, Judge Dale Ho dismissed Adams's indictment with prejudice, noting that the court could not force the Department of Justice to prosecute, but clarified that the dismissal did not express an opinion on Adams's guilt or innocence.

November 2025: Further Review of Adams's Case

In November 2025, a further review of Adams’s case was scheduled following the general election, but the charges were to be dropped before that time.

2025: Adams Runs for Reelection Amidst Federal Indictment

In 2025, Adams announced his reelection campaign amidst a federal indictment, facing multiple challengers and low polling numbers in the Democratic primary. Polls indicated that former New York governor Andrew Cuomo led among Democratic voters.