Eric Leroy Adams is an American politician and former police officer serving as the 110th mayor of New York City since 2022. He dedicated over two decades to the New York City Transit Police and the NYPD, retiring as captain. His political career began in the New York State Senate, where he represented Brooklyn's 20th district from 2006 to 2013. In 2013, he made history as the first Black American to be elected Brooklyn Borough President, a position he held for two terms after being re-elected in 2017.
1938: Birth of Dorothy Mae Adams-Streeter
Eric Adams's mother, Dorothy Mae Adams-Streeter, was born in 1938.
September 1, 1960: Birth of Eric Adams
Eric Leroy Adams was born on September 1, 1960, in Brownsville, Brooklyn.
1968: Adams Family Moves 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.
January 1979: Graduates from Bayside High School
Eric Adams graduated from Bayside High School in Queens in January 1979.
1984: Graduates from the New York City Police Academy
Eric Adams graduated from the New York City Police Academy in 1984, second in his class.
1986: Mistaken for a Suspect by Fellow Officers
In 1986, while working as a plainclothes officer, Eric Adams was mistaken for a suspect by white police officers.
1993: Alleged Sexual Assault Incident
The alleged sexual assault incident involving Mayor Adams and a former coworker is said to have taken place in 1993 while both were city employees.
1993: Alleged Sexual Assault Incident
In 1993, Eric Adams allegedly sexually assaulted a woman, an incident that later became the subject of a lawsuit filed against him in 2023.
1993: Controversial Comment on Herman Badillo
During the 1993 mayoral election, Eric Adams made a controversial comment about Herman Badillo's marriage to a white Jewish woman.
1994: Runs for Congress
Eric Adams ran for Congress in 1994 against incumbent Major Owens in the Democratic primary but failed to secure a place on the ballot.
1995: Escorts Mike Tyson and Co-founds 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care
In 1995, Eric Adams escorted Mike Tyson upon his release from jail and co-founded the advocacy group, 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care.
1997: Registers as a Republican
Eric Adams registered as a Republican in 1997 as a protest against Democratic leadership.
1999: Speaks on Race in Policing
In 1999, Eric Adams made statements regarding race in policing.
1999: Last Pay Raise for New York Lawmakers
The last pay raise for New York lawmakers prior to 2007 was in 1999.
2000: Opposition to "Stop and Frisk"
In 2000, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights declared the NYPD's "stop and frisk" policy as racial profiling. Eric Adams was a vocal opponent of this policy.
2001: Switches Back to the Democratic Party
Eric Adams returned to the Democratic Party in 2001.
2006: Runs for and is Elected to the New York State Senate
In 2006, Eric Adams ran for and was elected to the New York State Senate.
2006: Retires from the Police Force
Eric Adams retired from the police force with the rank of captain in 2006 after being found guilty of speaking in an official capacity without permission.
2006: Receives MPA from Marist College
Eric Adams received his MPA from Marist College in 2006.
2006: Begins Service in the New York State Senate
Eric Adams started serving in the New York State Senate in 2006, representing the 20th district in Brooklyn.
2007: Requests Pay Raise for Lawmakers
As a freshman state senator in 2007, Eric Adams joined other legislators in requesting a pay raise.
2009: Supporting Marriage Equality and Senate Leadership
In 2009, Eric Adams played a key role in brokering a compromise for the New York State Senate's Minority Leader. He also voted in favor of same-sex marriage, publicly supporting the freedom to marry.
February 2010: Controversial Vote and Racetrack Investigation
In February 2010, Adams faced scrutiny for two separate events. He voted against expelling Senator Hiram Monserrate after Monserrate's assault conviction. He also came under investigation for his handling of the Aqueduct Racetrack bidding process, though no charges were filed.
July 24, 2011: Marriage Equality Act
On July 24, 2011, the Marriage Equality Act came into effect in New York, legalizing same-sex marriage. Eric Adams had voted in favor of the bill in both 2009 and 2011, demonstrating his support for marriage equality.
2011: Advocacy Against "Stop and Frisk"
In 2011, Eric Adams supported a federal investigation into the NYPD's "stop-and-frisk" policy and championed a bill to prevent data collection on individuals stopped but not charged.
March 12, 2012: Protest Against Trayvon Martin Shooting
On March 12, 2012, Eric Adams and five other lawmakers protested the Trayvon Martin shooting by wearing hooded sweatshirts in the legislative chamber.
November 5, 2013: Elected Brooklyn Borough President
Eric Adams was elected Brooklyn Borough President on November 5, 2013, with an overwhelming majority.
2013: Elected Brooklyn Borough President
In 2013, Eric Adams concluded his service in the New York State Senate and was elected Brooklyn Borough President.
2013: Elected as Brooklyn Borough President
In 2013, Eric Adams was elected as Brooklyn Borough President, becoming the first Black American to hold the position.
2014: One Brooklyn Fund Established
Eric Adams established the One Brooklyn Fund, a non-profit for community programs, in 2014. It later drew criticism and investigations over its fundraising practices.
2014: Advocacy for Police-Community Relations
In 2014, following the killings of two NYPD officers, Eric Adams called for improved relations between the police and the community. He was also critical of the excessive force used in the Eric Garner and Glen Grays arrests.
July 14, 2016: Lactation Rooms Bill Passed
On July 14, 2016, the New York City Council passed a bill introduced by Adams requiring lactation rooms in public service buildings.
2016: Diagnosed with Diabetes and Promotes Plant-Based Diet
After being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2016, Adams adopted and advocated for a plant-based diet, launching resources and supporting initiatives like "Meatless Mondays".
2016: Eric Adams Adopts Plant-Based Diet
In 2016, after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, Eric Adams adopted a plant-based diet. He researched alternatives to traditional treatments, consulting with physicians like Caldwell B. Esselstyn Jr., and eliminated animal products, processed foods, and unhealthy ingredients from his diet. Within six months, he lost weight, reversed his diabetes, and improved his overall health.
2016: DOI Investigation of One Brooklyn Fund
In 2016, the Department of Investigation (DOI) looked into the One Brooklyn Fund regarding the improper licensing of Brooklyn Borough Hall for a Mayor's Office event.
2017: Re-elected as Brooklyn Borough President
Eric Adams was re-elected as Brooklyn Borough President in 2017.
2017: Re-elected Brooklyn Borough President
In 2017, Eric Adams was re-elected as Brooklyn Borough President, again with a significant majority.
February 14, 2018: Response to Parkland Shooting and Rikers Island Incident
On February 14, 2018, following the Parkland school shooting, Adams organized events demanding stricter gun control. Later that month, after an assault on a correctional officer, he advocated for reinstating solitary confinement.
February 2020: Support for Stop and Frisk
In February 2020, despite previous opposition, Adams expressed support for the "stop and frisk" policy.
October 2020: Eric Adams Publishes "Healthy at Last"
In October 2020, Eric Adams published "Healthy at Last: A Plant-Based Approach to Preventing and Reversing Diabetes and Other Chronic Illnesses," a cookbook advocating for plant-based diets and sharing his health journey.
November 17, 2020: Announces Mayoral Candidacy
Eric Adams announced his candidacy for Mayor of New York City on November 17, 2020.
November 20, 2020: Indoor Fundraiser During Pandemic
On November 20, 2020, shortly after announcing his mayoral bid, Adams attended an indoor fundraiser during the COVID-19 pandemic, drawing criticism.
August 2021: Transition Team Announced
In August 2021, Eric Adams announced Sheena Wright as the chair of his mayoral transition team.
November 2, 2021: Elected Mayor of New York City
On November 2, 2021, Eric Adams was elected Mayor of New York City, defeating Curtis Sliwa.
2021: Relocation of Migrant Households
During 2021, the Adams administration began relocating migrant households who had entered New York City from the Mexico-United States southern border.
2021: Mayoral Campaign and Rising Crime
During his 2021 mayoral campaign, Adams's focus on crime gained traction as the issue became more prominent in New York City.
2021: Wins Democratic Nomination for Mayor of New York City
Eric Adams secured the Democratic Party's nomination for mayor of New York City in 2021 after a close primary election.
2021: Death of Dorothy Mae Adams-Streeter
Eric Adams's mother, Dorothy Mae Adams-Streeter, passed away in 2021.
2021: Grant for Plant-Based Curriculum
In 2021, Eric Adams authorized a grant for SUNY Downstate College of Medicine to establish a plant-based supplemental curriculum, further demonstrating his commitment to plant-based lifestyles.
2021: Eric Adams Contributes 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 ran for Mayor of New York City. His campaign focused on public safety and crime.
February 2022: Questions Arise About Eric Adams's Veganism
In February 2022, after being seen eating fish in public, Eric Adams clarified his dietary practices, stating that he primarily follows a plant-based diet but occasionally consumes fish. This sparked discussion about his commitment to veganism.
2022: Continued Relocation of Migrant Households
The Adams administration continued its efforts to relocate migrant households throughout 2022.
2022: Elected as the 110th Mayor of New York City
In 2022, Eric Adams became the 110th mayor of New York City.
June 23, 2023: Veto of Housing Voucher Legislation
On June 23, 2023, Mayor Adams vetoed legislation designed to expand eligibility for housing vouchers for homeless families and individuals under the CityFHEPS program. He later implemented part of it via executive order.
June 28, 2023: Confrontation with Tenant Advocate
During a housing town hall on June 28, 2023, Mayor Adams engaged in a heated exchange with an 84-year-old Holocaust survivor and tenant advocate, Jeanie Dubnau, who accused him of being influenced by the real-estate lobby.
July 13, 2023: Veto Override by City Council
On July 13, 2023, the New York City Council overrode Mayor Adams's veto of the housing voucher legislation, marking the first veto override since the Bloomberg administration.
July 2023: NYC Migrant Housing Crisis
In July 2023, during the New York City migrant housing crisis, Mayor Eric Adams declared that the city was running out of resources to accommodate the influx of approximately 100,000 migrants from the southern border.
August 2023: Criticism from Governor Hochul's Lawyer
In August 2023, a lawyer representing Governor Kathy Hochul criticized Mayor Adams for his slow response and alleged failure to accept state aid offers to manage the migrant crisis.
September 2023: Warning about Migrant Crisis
In September 2023, Mayor Eric Adams warned that the ongoing migrant crisis could potentially "destroy" New York City.
September 2023: Eric Adams Becomes Freemason
In September 2023, Eric Adams, along with New York City Police Commissioner Edward Caban, became a Prince Hall Freemason and a 32nd Degree Member of the Scottish Rite.
November 12, 2023: FBI Investigation Report
On November 12, 2023, The New York Times reported on an FBI investigation into Mayor Adams, partly related to alleged influence by the Turkish government regarding the approval of their consulate building in Manhattan without a fire inspection.
November 2023: Sexual Assault Allegation
In November 2023, Mayor Adams faced a lawsuit containing allegations of sexual assault from a former coworker during their time as city employees in 1993. Adams denied the allegations.
November 22, 2023: Sexual Assault Lawsuit Filed Against Eric Adams
On November 22, 2023, a Florida woman filed a sexual assault lawsuit against Eric Adams under the New York Adult Survivors Act, alleging an incident from 1993.
December 2023: Lawsuit over Education Funding Cuts
In December 2023, the United Federation of Teachers initiated a lawsuit against Mayor Eric Adams to prevent proposed cuts of $550 million to education funding.
2023: Eric Adams Featured in "You Are What You Eat"
In 2023, Eric Adams appeared in the Netflix documentary "You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment," where he discussed his health transformation and advocated for plant-based diets, even suggesting foregoing doctor-recommended medication in favor of such a diet.
March 18, 2024: Details of Sexual Assault Lawsuit Emerge
On March 18, 2024, a legal complaint related to the sexual assault lawsuit against Eric Adams provided details of the alleged 1993 incident, claiming he propositioned a woman for oral sex in exchange for career advancement and assaulted her when she refused.
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.
February 10, 2025: Charges Dropped Against Eric Adams
On February 10, 2025, the Department of Justice, under President Trump's administration, directed federal prosecutors to dismiss the charges against Eric Adams. The decision was based on concerns about the impact of publicity on the case and its interference with Adams's ability to govern, particularly regarding issues like immigration and crime.
February 2025: Federal Charges Dropped
In February 2025, the Department of Justice, under the Donald Trump administration, instructed federal prosecutors to drop the charges against Eric Adams.