Mayor Eric Adams got an informal no-confidence vote from City Comptroller Brad Lander and scores of other New Yorkers during a Lower Manhattan rally on Wednesday, calling for the embattled mayor’s resignation or removal from office.
Lander, who is challenging Adams in the 2025 mayoral primary, led the Feb. 19 rally on the steps of the Tweed Courthouse while rolling out “The People’s Plan,” a campaign designed to shape New York City’s 2026 fiscal budget.
The initiative comes amidst a growing crisis of confidence in Adams’ leadership as the federal government moves to dismiss his criminal indictment and a feared “quid pro quo” of cooperation between City Hall and the Trump Administration on an immigration crackdown.
But “the situation is far more dire,” Lander said at the launch, highlighting the exodus of “competent public servants who have been doing their job day in and day out, keeping the administration afloat.” Lander expressed a profound lack of confidence in Adams’ ability to lead.
Lander’s words underscore the deep-seated unease within City Hall and the broader community.
“We will be fighting for the leadership that we deserve. We do not think that Eric Adams will remain in office in good faith,” he said.
The growing concerns surrounding Adams extend beyond the erosion of his administrative team. The Mayor’s alleged growing alliance to President Donald Trump, whose policies include the deportation of New Yorkers and cuts to federal funding for the city, has ignited widespread alarm.
Critics point to what they describe as a gutting of essential city services and persistent pay-to-play corruption scrutiny, further eroding public trust.
Adding to the already complex situation, Lander noted that the Trump administration, via the “Department of Government Efficiency” run by billionaire Elon Musk, recently plucked $80 million from city bank account, just one example of how the city is being taken advantage of. The funds were allegedly from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
In a statement released last week, Lander said the city’s Law Department is prepared to take legal action to recover these funds, underscoring the city’s commitment to safeguarding taxpayer money.
“We’re out here fighting for a budget that serves our children. We’re out here fighting for a budget that funds CUNY. We’re out here fighting for a budget that produces real safety in our neighborhoods,” he said, highlighting the critical importance of a budget that reflects the needs of the city’s diverse population.”
Read More: https://www.amny.com/politics/mayor-adams-indictment/
