Although a long line of Tammany bosses set the standard for carrying out graft on an industrial scale over decades, the federal charges against Adams and the ongoing probes into top players in his administration appear to be relatively modest by comparison. Despite headline-grabbing words like wire fraud and bribery, neither quid nor quo is earth-shattering. That Adams allegedly got airline upgrades and free or reduced rate hotel stays isn't exactly the stuff of Public Enemy No. 1.
Still, the Adams gang is making a distinct contribution to city lore. These scandals come at a time when most New Yorkers believe the city is in decline and the Democratic Party has exhausted itself and lacks credible successors.
Aside from a relative handful of Dems calling for his head, including some who want his job, the lack of anything close to a consensus is remarkable. After all, Adams is the first mayor ever to be indicted in office and wasn't especially popular before this.
He narrowly won the primary in 2021 on the strength of his anti-crime experience and platform and predictably coasted to victory in the general election. It is indicative of the political climate that there is no great public movement clamoring for the mayor to resign.
Collection
[
|
...
]