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Earlier today, Mayor Eric Adams pleaded not guilty to five federal charges unsealed this week in a damning 57-page indictment alleging his involvement in a quid pro quo corruption scheme with Turkish nationals, among other campaign finance violations.
At a press conference held yesterday in front of the Gracie Mansion, the mayor’s official residence on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, Adams repeated a number of standard denials, telling reporters: But he also struck a defiant tone, noting the “demonization” he has reportedly dealt with over the past 10 months since investigations into his 2021 campaign became public and scandal began to engulf his administration. was also shown. “I always knew that if I stood up for you, I would become a target, and I became a target myself,” he said Wednesday before the indictment was announced. He spoke in a video statement to New Yorkers tonight. “I will fight these injustices with all my strength and soul. If I am ever charged, I know that I am innocent.”
Of course, Adams is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. But his claim of innocence appears to hinge on his status as the victim of a targeted attack. This story fits into what my colleague David Graham calls “a growing trend of shamelessness” among American politicians accused of wrongdoing. David, who covers politics, told me that in the past, “major scandals ruined careers” for elected officials, but in recent decades, prominent politicians have refused to resign. “Some of them are rebellious and continue to make their claims,” and they are victims. ” In the 1990s, David recalled, Bill Clinton apologized for his affair but did not resign and accused Republicans of targeting him.
More recently, Sen. Bob Menendez was charged last year with a corruption scheme involving foreign influence. There was some damning evidence. Authorities found gold bars in his home. “The government practices primitive hunting, where the predator chases the prey until it is exhausted and then kills it,” Menendez said in response. He also suggested that his rivals were “rushing to bring Latinos to justice.” Menendez was found guilty on all charges and resigned earlier this year. Donald Trump’s attempts to blame others for his multiple indictments (including frequent “witch hunt” accusations) serve as a perfect example of this genre of behavior. But if Menendez’s example is any indication, “Mr. Trump is probably the only one who can actually do this,” David said.
Even before the Trump era, New York politicians were known for this kind of bias, my colleague Russell Berman wrote this morning, “With few exceptions, politicians in New York have been known for this kind of bias. New Yorkers didn’t go away quickly or quietly.” Mr. Adams is the first sitting mayor in New York City’s modern history to be indicted, and these are the first charges he himself faced as an adult. But allegations of wrongdoing and accusations that he abused his position to benefit donors and allies dogged him throughout his political career. In such situations, he has consistently positioned himself as the victim. In 2021, when The New York Times reported on Adams’ history of pushing ethical boundaries, Adams said in a statement, “Black candidates for public office, especially those from low-income backgrounds, are more expensive and less expensive. “We are often held to a fair standard,” he said, denying the accusations. My kind of background. ” Adams is also used to fending off criticism of all kinds, and frequently employs cryptic but memorable applause. “Haters will be waiters at the table of success,” he has suggested on various occasions over the years.
Adams still has supporters, but the number of his detractors has grown. Even before yesterday’s charges were dropped, New York politicians, including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, had called for him to resign. His trial could take place as early as early next year. Meanwhile, Gov. Cathy Hochul has the power to remove him from office, but has given no clear indication that she will do so.
If Adams were to resign this term, either by his own choice or by someone else’s, his seat would be vacated in a special election. Local officials have already begun vying for the job, and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, another New Yorker who quietly resigned amid his own scandal, is reportedly considering a run. David pointed out that Adams has long wanted to be in the spotlight, which may make it difficult for him to survive this scandal. Even if he’s done with politics, “I can imagine him doing TV,” David says.
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A Russian Kinzhal ballistic missile fired from a MiG-31K aircraft about 320 miles from the Ukrainian border and 1,100 miles from Lviv hit an apartment building in a civilian area. This apartment was the residence of the Bazilevich family. Mr. Jaroslav Bazilevich. His wife Evgeniya. Seriously injured, Jaroslav stumbled out of the damaged building and struggled to get back inside as emergency workers subdued him. He had lost his entire family.
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