Dem
47
GOP
53
Judge Dale Ho, who has the Eric Adams case on his docket, ordered the prosecution and Adams into his courtroom yesterday to discuss whether he should honor the government's request to temporarily drop the case. Deputy AG Emil Bove wants to suspend the case while Adams helps round up immigrants. If Adams doesn't do what Donald Trump wants, Bove wants the ability to start the case up again.
Bove, who ultimately signed the order to drop the case, showed up personally—because most of the SDNY attorneys involved resigned rather than be involved in what they saw as an unlawful quid pro quo. The session lasted 90 minutes. Bove argued that this was a standard case of prosecutorial discretion. No prosecutor has the time or resources to prosecute every person accused of breaking the law, so he or she has to make choices about who to go after. However, Bove did admit that the decision to drop the case was not based on the merits of the case, but on Adams' willingness to play ball helping to deport immigrants. To argue that deciding to prosecute or drop a case not based on the merits of the case is unusual, to say the least.
It was an unusual case in that both sides were arguing for the same thing: dismissal of the case. Usually when both sides want the same thing, the judge grants it. Ho did not make a decision yesterday. He asked for patience while he considers all the issues.
Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) was watching closely. She has the power to unilaterally fire Adams, but she said she would wait for the judge's ruling before making her decision and the judge did not make a ruling yesterday. Given the stakes here, he wants to be sure he is getting it right. Hochul has been holding meetings with various people, including Comptroller Brad Lander (D) and Speaker of the City Council Adrienne Adams (D), both of whom want her to fire Adams immediately. She knows that her reelection prospects in 2026 hinge significantly on her decision now. (V)