Eric Adams, New York City’s mayor, is due back in court on Wednesday, a week after he was indicted on five federal charges, including bribery. He has pleaded not guilty and his lawyers have filed a motion to dismiss the charges. So far, he is resisting calls to resign. But many New Yorkers are worried about his ability to lead the city while preparing his case.
There are two mechanisms to force him out of office. Kathy Hochul, New York’s governor, has the authority to remove him via a rarely used law. Franklin Roosevelt is the only governor to have exercised this power, when he initiated proceedings against Jimmy Walker, a former mayor, who was accused of bribery. Mr Walker resigned before he was removed. A second option, which has never been used, would be for certain high-ranking elected municipal officials to form an “inability committee” under the city charter. The city’s public advocate would then become mayor until a special election is held.
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