In the wake of Mayor Eric Adams’ historic indictment — the first of a sitting mayor in New York City — Chinese local elected officials are expressing serious concerns about the future of city governance and the impact on essential services. Several have strongly called for the mayor, who maintains his innocence, to resign.
State Senator John Liu weighed in, emphasizing the need for a mayor who can devote their full attention to the role. “The people of New York City… need a mayor who is able to devote full time and full energy,” Liu remarked in a statement, indicating that the ongoing legal troubles could hinder Adams’ ability to lead effectively. He stressed the importance of recruiting and retaining top leadership for the city’s future and concluded with a call for resignation: “For the good of all New Yorkers, [Adams] must resign immediately.”
Senator Iwen Chu shared similar concerns. “Today’s indictment raises serious concerns about Mayor Adams’s ability to fulfill those responsibilities,” she said in a statement shared with Documented. While acknowledging that Adams is innocent until proven guilty, Chu argued that the city requires a leader who can focus fully on the pressing issues facing New Yorkers and stressed the urgent need for effective and transparent leadership. She said that “Mayor Adams must immediately resign” to allow for a shift in leadership that can better address the city’s challenges.
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Congresswoman Grace Meng did not explicitly call for Eric Adams to resign, however, in a statement posted on X, she described the situation as “a sad and solemn time for our city,” and underscored that Adams is presumed innocent until proven guilty. However, she added, “New Yorkers are entitled to stability in their government.” Meng also urged that critical services remain uninterrupted, particularly for residents in her Queens district who rely heavily on the Adams administration.
City Council members Susan Zhuang and Sandra Ung have not provided statements regarding the indictment.
