Adams had been indicted by a grand jury on five counts earlier this year, to which he pleaded not guilty to the charges he faces. When asked if he would consider pardoning the mayor, Trump responded that “he would,” but added that he “hasn’t seen the gravity of it all.”

ERIC ADAMS AND TRUMP FORGE CURIOUS BIG APPLE BROMANCE

“You know, it’s very interesting when he essentially went against what was happening with the migrants coming in, and he made some pretty strong statements like ‘this is not sustainable,’” Trump said. “I said ‘you know what, he’ll be indicted soon.’ And I said it not as a prediction, a little bit light-heartedly, but I said it. I said, ‘he’s going to be indicted!’ And a few months later, he got indicted. So yeah, I would certainly look at it.”

Trump says he will consider pardoning Eric Adams pic.twitter.com/wXtDNugsoT

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 16, 2024

Prior to winning the 2024 election against Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump commented how Adams’s indictment was “very suspicious,” given the timing of it and how it occurred after Adams spoke out “against the destruction of New York” by illegal immigrants. He also stated that the mayor “did the right thing” by speaking up on this topic.

Shortly after Trump’s news conference, Adams was asked if he would accept Trump’s pardon should the president-elect grant him one. The mayor did not provide a straight answer and instead directed questions on his legal battle to his attorney. He also was unable to confirm if his lawyer had been in contact with the Trump administration on a potential pardon.

The New York City mayor was just on Dr. Phil’s show on Merit TV, during which the two discussed his indictment and how Adams was “extremely vociferous” on the topic of illegal immigration and its impact on New York City. He also said that if one were to look at the “crevices” of the indictment, they would see that “something is just not right” about it.

“I served this city as a police officer, I served this city as a state senator, as a borough president, and I’m serving it as a mayor,” Adams said. “And I think that my story is an American story, and I’m going to fight to the bitter end for this city.”

Earlier this month, Adams confirmed that he intends to work with the incoming Trump administration on its deportation of illegal immigrants, citing a desire for “people to talk to each other.” The mayor’s cooperation runs counter to the resistance some other Democrats have offered, including Mayor Mike Johnston of Denver, Colorado.