Summary: New York City Mayor Eric Adams said Friday he won’t resign despite growing political pressure and corruption probes involving close associates. Speaking after a police-involved shooting, Adams dismissed rumors he might step down, saying he will “never quit on New York City.” He defended his record on crime, jobs, and housing while insisting his allies deserve due process. Critics say the scandals raise questions about his judgment, but Adams argued his administration is delivering results and promised to stay focused as the city heads into a heated election season.

Mayor Adams Makes Announcement

Mayor Eric Adams: There was a shooting involving members of the department when they attempted to apprehend an extremely dangerous and violent offender on parole, released yesterday for committing a crime, attempted several crimes this morning. And men like him, dangerous offenders like him, are on the streets of our city because of the action of the reform that Andrew signed into law.  

And so when you were calling around to my staff saying, there’s the announcement today that Eric is stepping down, [] no. That cannot happen. I’m not going to leave this city to a beret-wearing, carnival display. I’m not going to leave it to a person who put dangerous laws on the books that hurt us from cannabis to bail reform to 15,000 nursing homes death.  

I’m not going to leave this city to someone that wants legalized prostitution on our streets. I’m not going to leave this city to someone that does not understand what it is to run a city that went from being a rapper to an assemblyman and now wants to be the mayor of the most complex city. We’ve come too far to go backwards. That is not going to happen.  

I’m never going to quit on the City of New York. We’ve worked too hard to get here, and to those thousands of men and women who serve this city every day, I want to tell them thank you. One of them is that officer who fought to take a dangerous person off the streets. So I wanted to address you because there’s been a lot of questions over the last few days after the indictment of two former employees of City Hall, one DCAS and one here at City Hall.  

And one of them is Ingrid. Ingrid is like a sister to me. I love Ingrid. She’s worked with me for over forty years. I served as a police officer with her husband. I know her son, and I know her, and I know her heart. And she and her attorney will deal with the case that’s in front of her. My prayers are with Ingrid, and I wish her the best.  

And throughout the number of years that I have known her, I found her to be a hardworking, dedicated member of city government for over 40 years. And with Jesse Hamilton, former state senator, former employee here, I wish him the best as well. I wish them to go through this process and allow their attorneys to do their role. And I am not going to interfere in any way with the process. Our communications with the district attorney’s office indicated that in no way am I involved in any of the reviews that they’re conducting in this manner.  

And I’m going to continue to do the job that I’ve done for 8.5 million people. And to New Yorkers, I’m sorry. Instead of us talking about what we have done in this city, instead of us talking about how we brought down crime, brought back jobs, put money back in the pockets of working-class people, revitalized our economy, and made our city safer, we have to deal with conversations like this. But on the campaign trail, I’m going to continue to tell my story and allow you to make the right choices.  

I’ve committed my life to this city. As a police officer, as a state senator, as a borough president, and now as your mayor. We have not always gotten it right, but we have never stopped being dedicated to the people of this city. And I’m going to continue to do that as long as you allow me to do so. I’m going to turn it over to the opening for a few questions. 

Question: Hi Mayor Adams, I just wanted to ask you specifically, about the case and about what the city is potentially paying for. Well actually, this is a specific question. So Ingrid’s lawyer says she was only trying to help her constituents navigate the city’s onerous bureaucracy. But I wanted to get your take on that since some of those constituents also allegedly bribed her with free food and home repairs and $50,000 wired to her son.  

And the second question is, these are people who are very close to you, Ingrid in particular. How can you let New Yorkers know that people who are so close to you, including even your son, have a movie funded by the Argentos who were arrested yesterday. How can you truly believe that you had no knowledge, no information or no understanding or no involvement at all in any of this? These are people who are so close to you that it even involves your son.  

Mayor Adams: First of all, it didn’t involve my son. My son wrote, he had a job at Broadway– 

Question: [Inaudible.] 

Mayor Adams: Are you going to let me answer the question? My son was employed at Broadway Stages. And anything involving the case, you said you spoke to the attorney. Speak to the attorney. I’m not talking about their case. The attorney will handle that. 

Question: Is the city paying for the legal fees of anyone who was arrested and indicted yesterday? 

Mayor Adams: Speak to corporation counsel. Not of my knowledge. 

Question: I actually have a couple of questions. One, I wanted to ask Randy Mastro. You’re a former federal prosecutor. You’ve prosecuted racketeering cases. You’ve prosecuted all kinds of things. What’s your take on this case? Do you think that this goes to the heart of corruption in city government? 

First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro: Thank you for asking. I’m not going to comment on the specifics of any case. But I’m not going to remain silent when ancient conduct of people who are no longer in government are being used to smear a government and a city hall and an administration producing every day for New Yorkers. I’ve stood by this mayor’s side for the past five months. We talk every day. We talk about how to resolve issues, how to address questions.  

There’s not a single time when he’s given me a direction that wasn’t in the best interests of the city. And the people who work in this building, who are so dedicated, I cannot tell you how proud I am to be their colleague. They are doing the people’s work every day. And they’re doing it honestly. They’re doing it professionally. They’re doing it productively. That’s why crime is down to record lows. Jobs are up to record highs. Affordable housing being produced at unprecedented levels.  

That’s why right across the street, [the] Department of Education and the chancellor [are] producing public school student test scores higher in math and reading in every grade, every category. That’s why quality of life is improving in our city. I’m not going to dwell on the past. I came here to help this mayor, this administration, [and] this city [to] focus on the present and the future. And the future is bright. I care about good government. I’ve been a federal prosecutor. I’ve done this job before.  

And the work of this administration and the people in this administration, from the mayor on down, I could not be prouder of them. So I’m not going to sit silently by and accept a characterization of how these good public servants are serving this city, because we’re serving this city well and producing unprecedented results for New Yorkers. And I’m not going to let ancient history that will play out eventually in a courtroom one way or the other be the way the work of this administration is described, because we are doing great things for New Yorkers and we’re going to continue to do that every day. 

Mayor Adams: Thank you. 

Question: I have two questions. Number one, your opponents have obviously weighed in and they say it’s a city for sale. It’s Tammany Hall all over again. I wonder if you would respond to that. But also, if you could answer a question about the friendly fire situation with the police officers. Do you think that the police officers broke protocol in the way they handled the case? 

Mayor Adams: It’s under investigation, and what we’re clear on, not one shot would have been fired if the perpetrator would have been behind bars where he should have been if we did not have these major changes in our laws. And when you respond to a call of service where the preliminary reports indicated that the person was armed with a weapon, those officers don’t know what they’re responding to.  

And I thank God that they took this dangerous person off our streets. And the review will look at it. A shooting team will determine if there are any changes that should be done. But I thank God for those responding officers and how they responded. He was robbing an Uber driver who was just trying to do his job. And those officers didn’t run away. They ran towards the danger. 

Question: And in terms of what your opponents have said, do you want to respond to that? 

Mayor Adams: No, they’re in their political season. This is what happened in the political season. There are five people who are in the race. Three of them don’t have a record. One of them is running away from his record. I’m the only one that has a record. And when you have a record, people can pick it apart. And as the first deputy mayor stated, it’s a darn good record for this city.  

Question: Your staff confirmed they put these down. I was just wondering, first, why? And then the second question is probably more pertinent and serious. What do you say to New Yorkers that see these recent allegations of corruption and bribery, look at the previous allegations and say this reflects poorly on your judgment, sir? 

Mayor Adams: First, let me answer your first part about the whistle. Many of these women here are interviewing Andrew Cuomo, and they feel unsafe. They’re going to have a whistle to help them through it, okay? That’s one. Two, this is from previous investigations that is taking place. I said it then, and I’ll say it again. We’re going to deliver for this city as we have done and we will continue to do.  

Question: When you were indicted, you suggested that this was politically motivated. Is there anything about these charges that you would like to also connect with that statement you made in the past? And the second question, you are running on the fact that you are tough on crime. So how do you reconcile that with these revelations when people hear about corruption, how [do] you react to allegations? 

Mayor Adams: Let me answer both of them. First, the attorneys will determine what are their beliefs on these charges and how to respond. I’ve made it clear, when you’re dealing with cases, respect the attorney process. They all have attorneys. Communicate with the attorneys to get their thoughts. It is not up to me to decide what the thoughts are. I’ll speak with the attorneys.  

Tough on crime? I’ve always been tough on crime. From my days as a police officer, state senator, borough president, and now the mayor. And the results of that toughness have proven successful. 23,000 illegal guns removed off our streets. Lowest numbers of shootings and homicides in the first six months of this year.  

Our pursuit to do preventive measures with after-school programs for children, summer employment programs. We have been both proactive and reactive. And I’m always going to be tough on crime. And this is not an indicator of me not being tough on crime. 

Question: Could you talk a little bit about your relationship with the Argentos? I know that they-  

Mayor Adams: I’m sorry, who?  

Question: The Argentos. You know, they’ve contributed to your campaigns over many years. You just said that your son Jordan worked for Broadway Stages. Could you elaborate a little bit? How did he get that job? Was that something that you helped him get through the Argentos? 

Mayor Adams: I am very clear with my son. My son finds his way. I’m not going to raise a son that cannot find his way. My son has been working and has been finding jobs. He has been doing what he needs to do as he reaches his 30th birthday. He found his way. He went out. He interviewed from his degree in communication. And he found the job. And both Gina and her brother are wonderful people. They’re great New Yorkers. They contribute in the area of their community. They give back. They’re very dedicated to the people of this city.  

And I’m not the first elected that they supported. They’ve supported many electeds that they felt understood how important it is to move the city in the right direction. And my heart goes out to both of them because they are, from my interactions with them, they are beautiful people. And they really care about the City of New York. And if you look at their volunteerisms, their contributions, what they’ve done with the 94 precinct in that area, they have continuously given back.  

Question: There are those who look at this, your opponents in particular, and will say Eric Adams called the reporters here today to do damage control. Is that what this is, mayor? Is this damage control? 

Mayor Adams: No. I want to move around the city, and I don’t want you following me around with the cameras in my faces and the phones in my faces, so I might as well get you all together and explain. And I owe New Yorkers an explanation of what we’re doing. So this is not damage control. It is about communicating with you so that I can do the business out there without you having to follow me around. You can speak to me right here.  

Question: Mayor, the election is [getting] more complicated day by day. How do you see the future?  

Mayor Adams: Well, first of all, if you would ask those who are regularly here, they would tell you a year ago, I said this is going to be the most interesting election in the history of the city. It turned out to be true. This is New York. New York is a complex place. New York is a place where any given day you can get a call. I got a call early this morning. I have an officer shot. We deal with hurricanes that hit our shores.  

That’s why you have to be ready to do this job. In order to do this job as mayor, you can’t go from rapper to assemblyman and then mayor. It’s too complex. There’s too many layers. The first job, a real job, should not be leading the City of New York because you have to respond to these uncertainties. And I challenge all of you, go back. The first time I had to deal with the lawfare of the federal authorities, look at what we did after that. I never wore my personal crisis.  

I delivered for the city. City of Yes. Universal after-school program. Paying off medical debt for New Yorkers. Removing the income tax for low-income New Yorkers. I never stopped. I’ve been able to deliver for the city no matter what came at me. And that’s what you need to do if you’re the mayor of the greatest city on the globe, New York. 

Question: So, I understand you’re not going to comment on any of the specifics in the case or go over any of those things. But I think, you know, for your employees, the New Yorkers, what message does this send that you’re not condemning these actions? If true, of some of these things that happened, whether it’s your long-term friend Ingrid or anybody like that.  

Because, you know, do you believe that it’s okay for somebody to cut through red tape and city government, as you’re saying, just to help people out? But then simultaneously, what– benefiting themselves? What message does that send New Yorkers? And then, is there anything you’d like to address with Winnie Greco this week? You know, whatever that situation is at this point, saying that she accidentally gave a bag full of cash to Katie Honan or she meant it as a gift. Did you want to comment on that at all? 

Mayor Adams: Okay. First of all, the message that I’m sending. The message I’m sending is something called due process. Something we all believe in. What makes our country different than other places. And what makes us great. And so, if you condemn someone without their due process [it’s a] slap in the face of what our constitution stands for. Let the due process play out. And you can communicate with their attorneys if you have some questions. 

Question: I’m not looking for you to say, Ingrid did this and she should be convicted. I’m just saying, like, to the people that are still working under you. Everybody that Randy Mastro just praised. They’re doing great work here. You know, if any of these allegations, not just Ingrid, not just Jesse, all these allegations, any of these are true. Would you want to condemn that, to say that you are looking to root out corruption in your administration. 

Mayor Adams: First of all, you’re being hypothetical and I’m not going to do that with someone’s life. And we have very, very strict guidelines on rooting out and not allowing corruption to be in our administration. And we have [a] Conflict of Interest Board that tells us what we can do and what we can’t do. Do people make mistakes in those Conflict of Interest Board rulings? Yes. Fines are given out all the time often when people make a mistake in what they do. That is why we have a Conflict of Interest Board. We do training. We do all the things that we’re supposed to do. And we’re going to continue to do that. 

Question: Would you like to say anything on Winnie Greco?  

Mayor Adams: I’m sorry?  

Question: Would you like to say anything? 

Mayor Adams: I have no idea of the communication between Winnie and the reporter involved. I don’t know what conversation they had. We don’t give money to reporters. I don’t know anything about what took place there. We condemned that type of action. If it was done for the wrong reason, I have no idea. And she’s no longer able to volunteer on the campaign because that’s an action–  that is the perception of it, we don’t agree with and I don’t tolerate it. 

[Crosstalk.]  

Hold on. Don’t stop. Don’t start yelling. Don’t start doing that. All that yelling and screaming because then I am going to bounce. We’re going to take a few more questions, but I got a city to run. Okay? Go ahead.  

Question: I’m wondering, do you agree with Ingrid’s lawyer’s characterization of the charges? He said this was politically motivated lawfare.  

Mayor Adams: I just answered that. Her lawyer represents her. I don’t represent her in this case. Speak with her lawyer and her lawyer will give you his input. I don’t represent her in this case.  

Question: Do you make of the timing? Obviously it’s coming– as you’re seeking re-election, and you had to deal with legal challenges in the past. Do you make anything of that timing?  

Mayor Adams: Well, you know, I wake up every day and I deal with the plate that’s in front of me. I don’t say woe is me. I say why not me? I have to succeed no matter what because I’m fighting for New Yorkers. My mother didn’t wake up and say life is tough. She woke up and she delivered for our family and that’s what I’m going to do. So the timing or non-timing doesn’t matter. I got to communicate with voters and voters are going to make the decision what direction we want to go in.  

Question: Mayor, you said you were very close to Ingrid, [inaudible]… close to Jesse Hamilton as well. So I’m wondering, were you aware of any allegations or corruption while they were working for your administration? Did anyone raise concerns to you on [inaudible]… favors being given.  

And then secondly, the second question is, both of them were very close to you, winning records also very close to you. So I’m just wondering, how do you explain to people in New York the fact that these are, you know, people that you are close to, that you trust, and that they are now facing these sort of criminal charges? You say that doesn’t reflect on you, but I’m wondering how you explain that to New Yorkers who might think that your closeness to these individuals somehow reflects on you and your judgment. 

Mayor Adams: Well, first of all, yes, you’re right. She is close to me and I love her like a sister. And she’s in my prayers and her attorney will handle her case.  

Question: Were you aware of any allegations of corruption?  

Mayor Adams: There were no complaints on her work ethics. In fact, to the contrary, people knew that she knew how to make sure that the people in the city got the services they needed. And she did that in the senate office, in the borough president office, and here as well.  

Question: Mayor, I wanted to ask you, are you disappointed at all in Ingrid, Jesse Hamilton, or Winnie Greco’s actions? And I also wanted to ask you, why should New Yorkers trust you, because this is another case, more indictments, to make sure that this isn’t going to continue to happen at least in your first term and possibly in your second term? 

Mayor Adams: Well, I think New Yorkers should trust me on how I deliver for the city. I mean, you’ve covered me for some time. You know that we brought down crime. You know that we’ve helped foster care children. You know that we improved grade scores in our schools. You know we build more housing in individual years than any other mayors. You know we took 23,000 guns off the streets. You know what we’re doing for foster care children, for NYCHA residents.  

You know what I do. They would trust me if you write about the good things I do. They would trust me. I am fighting for New Yorkers every day, and I get up to do that. And there’s going to be distractions. And New Yorkers, there are things I would have loved to have done differently, but I’m going to live life in my rearview mirror. I learn from those bumps in the road and become a better, not only mayor every day, but a better human every day.  

Question: Any disappointment in Ingrid, Jesse Hamilton, or Winnie Greco’s actions? 

Mayor Adams: Due process. Due process. 

Question: You know, just now you said there were things that you wish you could have done differently [inaudible]… is there anything certainly you could’ve done differently?  

Mayor Adams: No.  

Question: So what could you do differently then?  

Mayor Adams: There’s a lot of things I could do differently in life. I think all of us, everyone that’s sitting here, could look at something they wish they would have done differently. I wish I would have spent more time with my son when he was growing up, instead of being the advocate for everything that I was doing.  

There’s a lot of reflection I have on my life, what I could have done differently. And anyone who doesn’t reflect on their life and states that I wish I could have done differently, then shame on you. That means you stayed home every day in the bed. I got up every day and delivered for this city. In every role that I had, I delivered for the people of this city. I’m going to continue to do that.  

Question: I have a question again about the [inaudible]. You know, the indictment says that the bribery led to the redesign of McGuinness to get a change. I was wondering, with all these allegations coming out, are you going to go back to McGuinness, the director of DOT, to go back to the original plan or make any changes in response? 

Mayor Adams: No. McGuinness, it was a win to sit down and come to a resolution that both sides could agree on. And there will be continuous modifications of our streets. That’s part of what we do. We keep modifying to get it 100 percent right. And from my understanding, there were a lot of conversations. There were people on both sides of the issue. And you have to come to a middle. This is New York. In New York, you know, every one person that wants something, there’s another person that wants something differently.

August 22, 2025 Manhattan, New York

Sources: NYC.gov , Big New York news BigNY.com
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