New York City Mayor Eric Adams doesn't rule out recusing himself from immigration decisions

New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Monday did not rule out recusing himself from decision-making on immigration matters, a disclosure that comes amid worries he's trying to avoid criminal prosecution by agreeing to help carry out President Donald Trump's deportation agenda.

Speaking at City Hall for his first news conference in weeks where no topic was off limits, Adams was asked by a reporter whether recusal was on the table. The reporter asked whether Adams had discussed the possibility with Gov. Kathy Hochul's office and his four deputy mayors, who are resigning after expressing concern about an arrangement between Adams and Trump's Department of Justice to drop Adams' criminal corruption case, in part so he can help with immigration enforcement.

Adams did not deny that recusal was a possibility.

"Our team is looking at every way possible to make sure that we are in compliance, and those discussions are still going on," he said. "Those are discussions I’m having with our legal team, but I’m not going to go into those private discussions. That’s why it’s attorney-client privilege."

Asked later by a different reporter whether he's saying he was having discussions about recusal, Adams said: "No, I did not say that. I stated that the team are looking at everything we can to continue to govern the city, and whatever conversations I have with our counsel — I don’t go into private conversations."

Last week, the four deputies — first deputy Maria Torres-Springer, who runs the city day to day; Anne Williams-Isom, who’s in charge of health and human services including the migrant crisis; operations chief Meera Joshi; and Chauncey Parker, who oversees public safety — announced they were stepping down. Their resignations came a week after the U.S. Department of Justice ordered Adams' case dismissed — a motion being considered by the presiding judge. Adams' deputies have reportedly expressed concern about the mayor's compliance with Trump.

Hochul late last week proposed guardrails, which must be approved by state and city lawmakers, intended to ensure Adams does what's best for the city and not himself.

"New York is facing a grave threat from Washington," she said. "The Trump administration is already trying to use the legal jeopardy facing our mayor as leverage to squeeze and punish our city."

Adams has denied any quid pro quo with the Trump administration.

Earlier this month, Adams announced he would soon welcome back, after a decade exiled by the city, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to Rikers Island jails, despite local sanctuary city laws prohibiting almost all immigration cooperation with the feds. He then appeared in back-to-back interviews, including on Fox News, with Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan; Homan said to Adams he'd be "up his butt" if immigration enforcement promises weren't kept.

By Matthew Chayes

matthew.chayes@newsday.comchayesmatthew

Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.