President-elect Donald Trump stated during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago on Monday that he would consider pardoning New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who is facing fraud and corruption charges outlined in an indictment unsealed in September.
When asked about the possibility of granting a pardon, Trump responded, “Yeah, I would. I think that he was treated pretty unfairly.”
The indictment alleges that Adams accepted illegal campaign contributions during his 2021 mayoral campaign, as well as gifts, including a flight upgrade and other travel accommodations. Trump downplayed the allegations, saying the flight upgrade happened “many years ago” but added that he would need “to look at the facts” before making a decision.
Speaking from his Palm Beach, Florida, estate, Trump suggested the charges against Adams were politically motivated, citing the mayor’s recent criticism of the migrant crisis in New York City, which Adams described as “unsustainable.”
“I said he’s going to be indicted, and a few months later, he got indicted,” Trump said. “I would certainly look at it.”
The indictment claims that Adams “not only accepted but sought illegal campaign contributions” and other benefits from foreign nationals. As Adams’s influence grew, the indictment alleges, foreign nationals exploited their relationship with him, receiving favorable treatment in exchange for the illicit benefits he accepted.
Adams has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following the indictment, several high-ranking officials in Adams’s administration, including New York City Deputy Mayor Philip Banks, NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban, and close aide Timothy Pearson, resigned amid the ongoing federal investigation.
During the same press conference, Trump addressed a variety of issues, emphasizing his plans to restore economic growth and national optimism. He highlighted his intention to roll back regulations he deemed “job-killing” and to resume construction of the border wall.
“We spent a tremendous amount of money building the wall,” Trump said, noting that 571 miles of the wall had been completed during his administration. He criticized the Biden administration for selling off sections of the wall, arguing that this policy would increase costs if reconstruction became necessary.
“If we don’t have it, we’re going to have to rebuild it, and it will cost double what it cost years ago, and that’s hundreds of millions of dollars,” he said.
Trump also mentioned his plans to establish a Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, to address “waste and fraud” in federal spending.
When asked about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s intentions to investigate potential links between vaccines and autism if confirmed as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Trump expressed confidence in Kennedy’s approach.
“I think he’s got a very open mind,” Trump said. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t have put him there.”
