NYC Mayor Adams ditches Dem primary, then takes aim at the 'deep state'



New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, announced on Thursday that he will not seek the party's nomination but will run his re-election campaign as an independent candidate.

Adams, who rarely posts on his personal X account, shared a video announcing his decision. The announcement stood in sharp contrast to his two most recent prior posts from the summer of 2024, when he had voiced support for former Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election.

'I have never seen anyone do such a good job of defining that deep state.'

Just a few months later, Adams was effectively on the outs with Democrats, facing a federal corruption lawsuit shortly after he criticized the Biden administration for fueling the nation's illegal immigration crisis.

Adams wrote on Thursday, "I have always put New York's people before politics and party—and I always will. I am running for mayor in the general election because our city needs independent leadership that understands working people."

In his six-minute video, Adams discussed the grit of New Yorkers, the "bogus case" against him, and the other mayoral candidates.

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While he stood by his decision to call out the Biden administration for its immigration failures, he stopped short of severing ties with the Democratic Party.

"Some leaders choose rhetoric over results and fail to make working people their North Star. But the values of the working-class base — pro-public safety, pro-worker, pro-quality of life — are still there standing strong even if many who share them have left the party," he stated. "I had hoped to fight for them again in a Democratic primary for mayor."

"But the dismissal of the bogus case against me dragged on too long, making it impossible to mount a primary campaign while these false accusations were held over me," Adams continued. "Though I am still a Democrat, I am announcing that I will forego the Democratic primary for mayor and appeal directly to all New Yorkers as an independent candidate in the general election."

Adams acknowledged that the accusations against him in the corruption case "may have shaken" New Yorkers' confidence in him. He maintained his innocence, but expressed regret for "trust[ing] people I should not have."

He slammed his opponents without naming any mayoral candidates specifically.

"Some were advocating against more police, even if they are for them now," Adams said. "Some were fighting the pro-growth strategies of our administration. Some even sought to limit housing production. Some voted to give more of your tax dollars to other cities and towns in this state while refusing to change laws that let dangerous criminals run wild on our streets. And some sat at home and did absolutely nothing."

The mayor boasted his administration's record on housing, crime reduction, job creation, and benefit disbursements for low-income New Yorkers.

Adams admitted that he made mistakes.

"But it was not a mistake to invest more in housing than any other mayor. It wasn't a mistake to put a cop on every train. It wasn't a mistake to increase the value of housing vouchers and earn income tax credit to the highest levels ever," he stated.

"And it wasn't a mistake to put politics aside, defy my party when needed, and speak for the voice of working New Yorkers," Adams declared.

'Trump derangement syndrome is real.'

On Wednesday, the same day the indictment against Adams was dropped, comedian Andrew Schulz released a new episode of his podcast, "Flagrant," featuring an interview with the mayor. The two spoke about New York City's immigration crisis, Adams' decision to criticize the Biden administration, and the accusations against him.

Adams encouraged Schulz to read FBI Director Kash Patel's book, "Government Gangsters: The Deep State, the Truth, and the Battle for Our Democracy."

Schulz asked, "Is this what people refer to — and I think this word has been used too much, but the 'deep state,' or whatever it is?"

"It's not used too much," Adams responded. "It's real, brother."

"I have never seen anyone do such a good job of defining that deep state," he continued, referring to Patel. "You should have him on your show."

When asked whether legal immigrants should be afraid under the Trump administration, Adams responded by torching those on the left who have spread false rumors that Immigration and Customs Enforcement has targeted individuals with legal status.

"When I'm moving around my immigrant communities, and they share with me, 'We're afraid. We're afraid to go to school, work, church, etc.' Why are they afraid?" Adams asked. "The activists who love this hysteria are giving the impression that all the sudden ICE is going into our schools and taking our children, going into hospitals — that's just not true."

He declared that "Trump derangement syndrome is real" and expressed disappointment that the Department of Government Efficiency's efforts to root out waste and fraud had become politicized by the president's critics.

Adams also blasted the Biden administration for placing parents on the FBI watchlist for being concerned about what their children were being taught in public schools.

"I'm telling you, read Kash's book," he told Schulz.

One source close to Adams told the New York Post, "Now that this case is gone and he's running in the general, you're going to see a very 'f*** you' mentality from him."

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Clean up crime-ridden transit or lose federal funds: Trump's DOT warns cities



Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy demanded that cities clean up their crime-ridden public transit systems if they want to continue receiving taxpayer funds from the federal government.

Duffy's threats to withhold funding stemmed from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's failure to keep New York City's subway system safe for riders. In a Tuesday letter to the MTA, Duffy requested that the agency turn over data on subway crime as well as its plans to address those issues.

'It's not just New York; it'll be Chicago, it'll be Washington, D.C.'

"The trend of violent crime, homelessness, and other threats to public safety on one of our nation's most prominent metro systems is unacceptable. After years of soft-on-crime policies, our Department is stepping in to restore order," Duffy wrote. "Commuters are sick and tired of feeling like they have to jeopardize their safety to get to work, go to school, or to travel around the city. We will continue to fight to ensure their federal tax dollars are going towards a crime-free commute."

MTA Chief of Policy and External Relations John J. McCarthy released a statement following Duffy's letter, claiming the agency would be "happy to discuss" its efforts with the DOT.

MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber claimed that the agency has "done so much to improve subway safety."

"Right now, crime in the subway is down 45% versus the period right before [the] pandemic," he said. "They asked us for very detailed information, and we're going to prepare a letter in response."

"We have, actually, the lowest number of daily crimes in the subway system than we have ever had in recorded history in the first part of this year," Lieber remarked.

Duffy disputed the MTA's claims during an interview with Fox News, stating that assaults are up 56% in New York subways since 2019.

"It's dangerous, it's dirty, and the city has spent billions of dollars on migrants — whether housing and feeding them — and they can't spend millions of dollars to clean up their subway," Duffy told the news outlet. "We give millions of dollars a year to the New York subway, and part of the requirement is they keep it safe."

Duffy stated that the Trump administration is prepared to pull funding if cities cannot keep their subway systems safe.

"And it's not just New York; it'll be Chicago, it'll be Washington, D.C.," he added. "If they don't get on board to change their ways, we're pulling cash."

"We're not going to fund dirty, disgusting homeless shelters that mirror as subway stations," Duffy told Fox News.

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NYC to close more than 50 migrant shelters as tidal wave of illegal aliens slows to trickle



New York City will soon close more than 50 migrant shelters, including the notorious shelter at the Roosevelt Hotel, now that the influx of migrants flowing into the city has slowed to a trickle.

At a press conference on Monday, Democratic Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the future closing of 53 sites and all tent shelters in the city. He attributed the closures to "the successful strategies we put in place here in New York City and because of policies we advocated for at the border."

The closure that has drawn most attention is the migrant shelter at the storied Roosevelt Hotel, located near Grand Central Terminal in Midtown Manhattan. The iconic hotel closed in December 2020 after tourism in the city cratered due to COVID-related government restrictions. Then in May 2023, it reopened as an arrival center and shelter for the hordes of migrants moving into the city as the result of the porous southern border under the Biden administration.

Dubbed "the new Ellis Island," the hotel has served approximately 173,000 migrants in the months since. At its peak in July 2023, hundreds of male migrants even slept outside after the hotel ran out of bed space.

With the surge of migrants also came reports of an uptick in crime, especially smash-and-grab robberies in Times Square. The brutal Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua even reportedly managed to infiltrate the shelter, increasing concerns about safety.

However, the waves of migrants have slowed considerably. In May 2023, the city had to absorb about 4,000 new arrivals each week, causing the migrant population in NYC to swell to 69,000 by January 2024. Now under the Trump administration, that weekly total has slowed to just 350, and the total migrant population has dwindled to 45,000.

The Roosevelt shelter is expected to close in June, according to Adams. It currently houses about 2,850 migrants.

'We're not done caring for those who came into our care.'

Adams appears encouraged by the progress, claiming that the city has crossed another "milestone" in addressing the migrant crisis. However, he hesitated to declare the crisis "over" and cautioned that the city still has a ways to go. "I don’t want to say ‘mission accomplished’ before we’ve accomplished the mission," he said.

"We're not done caring for those who came into our care," Adams continued.

Though Adams seems to be on board with Trump's efforts to curb illegal immigration, he has publicly kept some distance from the new administration as accusations of a quid pro quo between Adams and Trump continue to swirl.

For instance, just last Friday, Adams sued the Trump administration for $80 million in migrant funding the federal government allegedly took back from the city recently. "I believe we deserve that $80 million," Adams said, claiming that Congress had already authorized the money.

After the Trump DOJ moved to dismiss the federal charges filed against Adams, critics suggested that Trump and Adams came to an agreement of sorts, whereby Trump would make Adams' legal troubles go away in exchange for cooperation on immigration. Both the DOJ and the mayor's office have denied the allegations.

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Trump Saves New Yorkers From Themselves

'Hochul’s assertion makes sense, until you think about it even a little bit.'

Hochul doubles down on charging NYC drivers to use taxpayer-funded roads after Sec. Duffy nixes unpopular toll



Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is currently engaged in a tug-of-war with the Trump administration over a new toll imposed on drivers in New York City.

The issue relates to the Central Business District Tolling Program designed for drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street. The toll charges passenger vehicles $9, small trucks $14.40, large trucks $21.60, motorcycles $4.50, taxis $0.75, and Uber and Lyft drivers $1.50.

"You can pay $9 to enter the congestion pricing zone or take the subway, where violent crime is soaring. At least some drivers will be afraid to take the subway, undermining the entire purpose of congestion pricing," said Phil Valenti of the Transport Workers Union Local 106.

"To put congestion pricing in now is atrocious, disgusting. ... Give me a break."

Republican President Donald Trump also apparently had misgivings about the congestion toll, even before it was implemented last month. "Congestion pricing is not a good situation," Trump said recently. "They're treating the people of New York very badly."

Though early reports indicate that the toll has reduced area traffic by 9%, Trump claimed the reduction in traffic would actually harm local businesses and residents.

"Traffic will go down because people aren’t going to come," Trump said aboard Air Force One, according to FOX 5 NY. "If people don't come, that means the whole place is, it's going to be a disaster. That means they’re not going to spend their money in New York."

'Every American should be able to access New York City regardless of their economic means. It shouldn’t be reserved for an elite few.'

On Wednesday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sent Hochul a letter announcing that the Federal Highway Administration had terminated approval for CBDTP, which had just received federal approval in November.

Duffy described the toll as "backwards and unfair" and "a slap in the face to working-class Americans and small-business owners" in New York and surrounding states like New Jersey and Connecticut.

"Commuters using the highway system to enter New York City have already financed the construction and improvement of these highways through the payment of gas taxes and other taxes. But now the toll program leaves drivers without any free highway alternative, and instead, takes more money from working people to pay for a transit system and not highways," Duffy said in a statement.

"Every American should be able to access New York City regardless of their economic means. It shouldn’t be reserved for an elite few."

The letter apparently enraged Hochul, who quickly arranged a press conference at Grand Central Terminal, where she railed against what she characterized as Trump's federal overreach.

"I don't care if you love congestion pricing or hate it. This is an attack on our sovereign identity, our independence from Washington. And we are a nation of states," Hochul exclaimed.

"This is what we fought for. This is what people like Alexander Hamilton and others fought for: to set up a system where we are not subservient to a king or anyone else out of Washington."

Hochul's histrionics continued: "In the streets of this city, where battles were fought; we stood up to a king. And we won then. And in case you don't know New Yorkers, when we're in a fight, we do not back down. Not now, not ever. Because, who are we fighting for here? We're fighting for our residents, our commuters, our riders, our drivers, our emergency personnel."

"I'm here to say New York hasn't labored under a king in over 250 years," she seethed. "We sure as hell are not gonna start now."

As she spoke, Hochul held up a copy of Time magazine with a rather flattering image of Trump wearing a crown emblazoned on the cover.

Without the toll, traffic will spike in the area once again, she warned. "The next time you're stuck in traffic, you’ll know who to blame."

For now, Hochul claimed that the "cameras would stay on."

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has already filed a lawsuit, challenging Duffy's decision. While the litigation process plays out, the MTA will not be "turning off the tolls," Chair Janno Lieber confirmed.

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Top NY Dems working to topple Eric Adams for embracing Trump deportation policies: Report



Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul is reportedly considering removing Eric Adams from his mayoral post after several New York City officials resigned from his administration.

First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer as well as Deputy Mayors Meera Joshi, Anne Williams-Isom, and Chauncey Parker all resigned on Monday. Following their resignations, Hochul is set to hold a meeting Tuesday to discuss a "path forward" for the dwindling Adams administration.

'I think they used the terminology, "You were not being a good Democrat,''' Adams said. 'I think that was their philosophy. That I was supposed to silently watch what happens to this city, and I love this city.'

"If they feel unable to serve in City Hall at this time, that raises serious questions about the long-term future of this mayoral administration," Hochul said of the former staff in a Monday statement.

Hochul also alluded to potentially removing Adams from his mayoral post, citing "alleged conduct" that has taken place in City Hall.

"I recognize the immense responsibility I hold as governor and the constitutional powers granted to this office," Hochul said in the statement. "In 235 years of New York State history, these powers have never been utilized to remove a duly-elected mayor; overturning the will of the voters is a serious step that should not be taken lightly."

"That said, the alleged conduct at City Hall that has been reported over the past two weeks is troubling and cannot be ignored," Hochul added. "Tomorrow, I have asked key leaders to meet with me at my Manhattan office for a conversation about the path forward, with the goal of ensuring stability for the City of New York."

Much of the conflict surrounding Adams and the administration in recent weeks has revolved around his sudden embrace of President Donald Trump's deportation policies.

In an interview with Tucker Carlson, Adams admitted that when he spoke with Biden's administration about the migrant crisis, he was told to "be a good Democrat."

"I think they used the terminology, 'You were not being a good Democrat,'" Adams said. "I think that was their philosophy, that I was supposed to silently watch what happens to this city. And I love this city."

Truthfully, Adams couldn't afford to be a "good Democrat" anymore. The migrant crisis in New York City was costing taxpayers billions, flooding their schools and their communities with the expectation of endless welfare and subsidies. After realizing they could no longer foot the bill, Adams' approach changed.

In doing so, Adams has had multiple meetings with border czar Tom Homan, who seemed optimistic about the mayor's cooperation.

"He’s all in on addressing public safety threats that are here illegally and helping me find these missing children," Homan said of Adams.

"I think New York City is about to get a lot safer," Homan said. "I think New York City is about to send a strong message."

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Border czar Homan optimistic but firm ahead of alleged second meeting with NYC Mayor Adams



Border czar Tom Homan claims he is scheduled to meet with Democratic New York City Mayor Eric Adams later this week to discuss the illegal immigration crisis, and he seems cautiously optimistic that the two will find common ground.

On Tuesday, Homan joined John Catsimatidis and Rita Cosby on the "Cats & Cosby Show" on WABC 770 AM and revealed details about the forthcoming meeting. Homan said he is planning to be in NYC again on Thursday to talk with Adams about ways local and federal law enforcement can work together to apprehend dangerous illegal aliens in the area.

"I’m hoping we come to an agreement where his officers will help my officers remove these public safety threats, especially Tren de Aragua and the other alien gangs that are creating havoc in New York," Homan told the radio hosts.

"He’s all in on addressing public safety threats that are here illegally and helping me find these missing children."

'Let’s hope Thursday night I head back to DC with a great agreement.'

Homan and Adams met in December to discuss immigration, and afterward, Homan praised Adams for his understanding of the issue and his ready willingness to work with federal agents despite vehement opposition from other Democrats.

"He gets it. And today he proved that as the mayor of New York City, he's more concerned with public safety than politics," Homan said at the time.

"I think New York City is about to get a lot safer," Homan added. "I think New York City is about to send a strong message."

While Homan seems confident that Adams will continue to be cooperative in this second meeting, he did caution that nothing is set in stone yet.

"I’m coming up there Thursday to meet with the mayor — either he comes to the table or we go around him," Homan said, according to the New York Post.

"Let’s hope Thursday night I head back to D.C. with a great agreement."

The mayor's office declined to confirm the alleged second meeting between Adams and Homan, but press secretary Kayla Mamelak did stress that Adams has long supported removing criminal illegal immigrants from NYC.

"The mayor has also been clear that he wants to work with the new federal administration, not war with them, to better the lives of New Yorkers," Mamelak said. "That work includes going after the violent offenders who are wreaking havoc on our streets and ensuring they leave our city after being convicted of a crime and serving a jail sentence."

This alleged meeting comes just days after the Department of Justice under President Donald Trump moved to dismiss the charges brought against Adams under the Biden administration.

Trump has signaled his sympathy with Adams as a fellow victim of apparent political lawfare, but critics suggest that Trump is playing politics with Adams as well, since the charges could be revisited after the NYC mayoral election later this year.

"It certainly sounds like President Trump is holding the mayor hostage," Al Sharpton said in a statement Monday.

For now, Adams faces a tough re-election race. Federal indictments aside, high-profile Democrats such as NYC comptroller Brad Lander and state Sen. Zellnor Myrie have already begun fundraising hundreds of thousands and in some cases over a million dollars, hammering Adams for his legal woes and working relationship with Trump.

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who resigned from office following allegations of sexual misconduct and of fudging the number of nursing-home COVID deaths, has also been mentioned as a possible contender.

A recent poll showed Cuomo leaving the competition in the dust, should he decide to jump in, outpacing Adams 31% to 12%. However, his lead nearly evaporated after respondents were reminded of his scandal-plagued tenure as governor.

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Union boss torches Governor Hochul for 'atrocious' NYC congestion toll amid surging subway crime



A union boss slammed New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) for her "atrocious, disgusting" decision to implement a congestion toll amid surging subway crime.

Phil Valenti of the Transport Workers Union Local 106 told the New York Post this week that New Yorkers are being forced to choose between paying costly tolls or traveling in the city's crime-ridden subway system.

'We now have the mentality ill from all over the world, who are homeless, walking our streets, taking our subways and killing people randomly.'

With the congestion toll slated to take effect on Sunday, Valenti told the news outlet, "New Yorkers have been forced into a terrible and unfair position."

"To put congestion pricing in now is atrocious, disgusting — a real slap in the face," he remarked. "The subway system is unsafe right now. Give me a break."

"You can pay $9 to enter the congestion pricing zone or take the subway, where violent crime is soaring. At least some drivers will be afraid to take the subway, undermining the entire purpose of congestion pricing. MTA Chairman Janno Lieber and Gov. Kathy Hochul are to blame for this absolute mess," Valenti explained.

Hochul previously halted a proposed $15 toll in June following a wave of public and legal pushback. However, after the November election, she revived the plan at a lower price.

Passenger vehicles entering Manhattan below 60th Street will be forced to pay a $9 toll, small trucks $14.40, large trucks $21.60, motorcycles $4.50, taxis $0.75, and Uber and Lyft drivers $1.50.

"It was $15 before; now it is $9. That is a 40% reduction," Hochul stated in November. "This lower toll will save daily commuters nearly $1,500 annually, and that kind of money makes a big difference for our families. And there'll be further discounts for low-income New Yorkers. Car owners who make less than $50,000 a year will get a 50% discount on every toll after their 10th toll of the month. In addition, after 9 p.m., the toll is discounted even further."

Valenti told the Post that solving the MTA's $700 million yearly losses from subway and bus fare cheaters should be prioritized over implementing a congestion toll.

"With Gov. Hochul's policies of New York state being a wide-open sanctuary state, we now have the mentality ill from all over the world, who are homeless, walking our streets, taking our subways and killing people randomly," Valenti said. "Riders and workers are not safe."

The city's unsafe conditions prompted the Guardian Angels, a volunteer crime-prevention group, to begin patrolling the subway system.

Curtis Sliwa, the Guardian Angels' founder, told the Post, "We're covering the actual trains from front to back, walking through the trains and making sure that everything is okay."

MTA spokesman Aaron Donovan told the news outlet that crime on the subway was "down 5.4%" in 2024.

MTA chief security officer Michael Kemper said, "Thousands of NYPD Transit officers are working every hour of the day and night to make the subway safe, and the record reflects they are making an impact."

"I know firsthand that to suggest otherwise disrespects the commitment to transit workers and riders, and real results delivered by those officers," Kemper remarked.

A spokesperson for Hochul's office told the Post, "Governor Hochul cut the congestion pricing toll by 40%, squashed a potential 25% surge fee, and is fighting every single day to make the subways safer for commuters and transit workers."

"The governor deployed an additional 1,250 uniformed law enforcement personnel to support NYPD's efforts to protect subway passengers, and she'll continue working to fight crime and improve public safety," the spokesperson added.

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FACT CHECK: Did the NYPD Name “Amelia Carter” As the Subway Fire Victim?

A post on X claims that a young woman named Amelia Carter was identified as the woman set ablaze on the New York City subway in December. Say her name Amelia Carter 😢 This is the girl whose life was ended as she was set on FIRE in a NYC subway by an ILLEGAL Sebastian […]

‘I Don’t Know Why I Keep Talking To You’: Jamaal Bowman Dismisses 60% Of Americans Based On Their Skin Color

Any time a leftist politician starts a letter with 'Dear White People' there's a good chance that whatever is said will be steeped in hatred.