Adams lashes out at national Republicans for casting city as crime-ridden
The New York City mayor criticized House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) for focusing an upcoming hearing on New York City when “crime in congressional Republican areas per capita is through the roof."
NEW YORK — Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday voiced irritation with former President Donald Trump's renewed presence in the city for various legal proceedings and national Republicans' depiction of Manhattan as dangerous place that disregards victims' rights.
“We thought that we were in a good place because he was in Florida and, you know, he didn't tie up our city,” Adams said at an unrelated press conference Wednesday, when asked about preparing for another Trump visit. “Now, he's going to be back here often.”
Trump is scheduled to return to New York later this week to give a deposition in state Attorney General Tish James' business fraud lawsuit against him and his real estate firm.
The historic indictment of the former president by the Manhattan district attorney brought hundreds of protesters last week to the Manhattan criminal courthouse.
Meanwhile Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, a darling of progressive Democrats for his criminal justice reform policies, has drawn the ire of House Republicans, who say the top prosecutor should focus on violent offenders instead of Trump's alleged involvement in a hush money scheme. They plan to hold a so-called "field hearing" in New York City next week on violent crime.
Adams criticized House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) for his hearing’s singular focus on New York City when “crime in congressional Republican areas per capita is through the roof." He faulted southern states for the “proliferation of guns” flowing to major cities.
The hearing is the latest move by House Republicans to pressure Bragg, who is pursuing 34 felony charges accusing Trump of falsifying business records to bury damaging allegations of an extramarital affair during the height of the 2016 presidential campaign. Trump has pleaded not guilty.
The House GOP recently subpoenaed a former Manhattan prosecutor who criticized aspects of Bragg’s investigation. Bragg sued to block it, calling the move a “campaign of harassment.”
The House Judiciary Committee’s scheduled hearing on violent crime pledges to “examine how Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s pro-crime, anti-victim policies have led to an increase in violent crime and a dangerous community for New York City residents.”
Adams said the committee hasn't communicated with city officials to prepare for the hearing that will be held in a lower Manhattan federal building.
“This is just an extension of Donald Trump campaigning and it really makes no sense,” Adams said.