NEW YORK — New York City Mayor Eric Adams met with President-elect Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach, Florida golf club on Friday, three days before the inauguration.
Adams’ team said he and the president-elect discussed a long list of priorities for New York City, but the mayor’s opponents within his party claimed he had an ulterior motive: a pardon for himself.
According to sources, Adams and Trump spoke for about an hour, touching on issues including border security and the deportation of migrants who are repeat violent offenders.
In a statement, Adams said he and the president-elect “had a productive conversation about New York’s needs and what’s best for our city, and how the federal government can play a more helpful role in improving the lives of New Yorkers. While we briefly touched on a number of issues, we specifically focused on the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas and how it will have a positive impact on public safety in our country; how we can bring manufacturing jobs back to New York, particularly in the Bronx; and how we can continue to make federal investments in New York City, especially when it comes to infrastructure.”
Adams-Trump meeting not a surprise
Overall, it’s not a surprise Adams sought and was granted the meeting with Trump. Throughout his term, the mayor made a practice of meeting with everyone from President Joe Biden to gang members. He has said partnering with the federal government is critical to New York City’s success.
“We want to engage early,” Adams said in the days leading up to the meeting. “We’re going to sit down, reach out and want to sit down with him and talk about some of our vision for the city.”
Adams’ comments came as he disclosed First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer and others were talking with the Trump team to arrange the face-to-face sit down.
“Mayor Adams has made quite clear his willingness to work with President-elect Trump and his incoming administration on behalf of New Yorkers — and that partnership with the federal government is critical to New York City’s success,” the mayor’s office said in a statement Thursday. “Tomorrow, Mayor Adams will sit down with President-elect Trump and discuss New Yorkers’ priorities. The mayor looks forward to having a productive conversation with the incoming president on how we can move our city and country forward.”
An Adams spokesperson said the mayor wanted to talk about a range of priorities, including border security, potential cooperation with federal agents on the deportation of migrants who commit crimes, transit and education aid.
“In my conversation with [Trump], he’s been clear that he wants to help New York and New Yorkers,” Adams said.
According to his schedule, Adams flew to Florida on Thursday and is returning to the city Friday night. The mayor is expected to discuss the trip during a press conference Saturday.
Adams’ opponents see an ulterior motive
Adams’ political opponents saw a darker motive for his trip to Florida. They believe the mayor is seeking a pardon from Trump, either before or after his trial for corruption charges.
“Eric Adams should state immediately that he will not seek or accept a pardon from Donald Trump. New Yorkers deserve to know that their Mayor is putting their interests ahead of his own – and whether our tax dollars, or Turkish Airlines, will be financing his trip to Florida,” City Comptroller Brad Lander, a Democrat trying to unseat Adams, wrote on X.
“Who is this meeting for, New Yorkers or Eric Adams? Our city has too many problems right now for us to worry about if he’s fighting for New Yorkers or a hypothetical pardon for himself,” Scott Stringer, the former city comptroller and another Democrat running against Adams, also posted on X.
Trump seemed to give rise to the possibility of pardoning Adams when he spoke about the mayor at the Al Smith Dinner in October.
“I know what it’s like to be persecuted by the DOJ for speaking out against open borders. We were persecuted, Eric. I was persecuted and so were you, Eric,” Trump said.
Adams said in the statement he did not discuss his corruption case with Trump.
“To be clear, we did not discuss my legal case, and those who suggest the mayor of the largest city in the nation shouldn’t meet with the incoming president to discuss our city’s priorities because of inaccurate speculation or because we’re from different parties clearly care more about politics than people. Like I’ve always done, I will take every opportunity possible to advocate for New Yorkers and our city, and after our discussion, I strongly believe there is much our city and the federal government can partner on to make New York City safer, stronger, and more affordable. I thank President Trump for his time and attention and look forward to working with him to benefit all New Yorkers,” the mayor’s statement continued.
Others view the Adams-Trump meeting as a smart move
Some political experts say Adams’ decision to meet with President-elect Trump was a smart move.
“It’s a reasonably thing to do. A reasonable mayor would do it and I think it benefits us in New York City for him to have a good working relationship with the incoming president,” said J.C. Polanco, an associate professor at the University of Mount Saint Vincent.
Polanco said Adams did the right thing by trying to carve out a good relationship with Trump. And he’s not the only one.
“I think if you’re mayor, you have to try your best to work with whoever’s in power,” said New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.
Preparations for Trump’s Inauguration Day
The Adams-Trump meeting happened as Washington, D.C. prepared for Monday’s presidential inauguration and the transfer of power.
Trump’s ceremony was moved indoors due to freezing temperatures. Security is also be priority, especially given the two assassination attempts on Trump last year.
Approximately 25,000 law enforcement officers and military personnel will be there, along with 7,800 National Guard members. Pilots have been flying over the National Mall, scanning for radiology or nuclear irregularities on the ground, and there is a so-called “ring of steel” with 30 miles of anti-scale fencing around the city.
With all of these measures in place, authorities say they will be ready for the 250,000 ticketed guests. Those expected to attend include billionaires, tech CEOs and celebrities, along with President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and their spouses. Trump notably skipped Biden’s inauguration in 2021.
Trump’s inauguration comes just days after two other major national security events — the Jan. 6 electoral count and former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral.
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