Adams Reveals More Details About His Mysterious Health Scare

NEW YORK — Mayor Eric Adams finally lifted the shield on his mysterious illness Wednesday, informing the press — and a politician in line to temporarily succeed him — about weeks of abdominal pain, extensive testing and a colonoscopy.

With that newfound knowledge, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams said he is considering suing the mayor for keeping him in the dark about the period during which Adams underwent anesthesia for the colonoscopy.

“We’re looking at all of our options,” Williams said during a hastily convened virtual press conference Wednesday, when asked whether he would go to court to challenge Adams’ decision.

Just hours earlier, the typically private mayor curiously opted to answer questions he and his staff had previously avoided about his health scare — a scare they first made public in a series of social media posts around 11 p.m. on a Sunday night that led to more questions than answers.

The public advocate, a far-left politician readily at odds with the centrist Adams, believes his succession powers in the City Charter are sacrosanct. They state the public advocate takes over “the powers and duties of the office” if the mayor is temporarily unable to discharge the powers, whether due to sickness or leaving the city.

The mayor, however, signed an executive order last September that followed the practice of previous mayors dating back at least 31 years to Rudy Giuliani. It was meant to preempt the charter and delegate powers to his first deputy mayor. Williams, if he goes through with legal action, would be going to court to challenge that order.

“It’s not about ‘are we handing the city over to someone for an hour,’” Williams said. “It’s about communicating with the government partners. … It is clear by the Charter, God forbid something happens, our office is to be a part of that.”

Adams underwent anesthesia for a colonoscopy on Jan. 3, spokesperson Kayla Mamelak Altus told reporters Wednesday. The medical procedure, which lasted for about 45 minutes, was not disclosed publicly for one month. On his schedule that day were two events: an 8 a.m. staff meeting and a 4 p.m. media event.

The normally technical issue of continuity of government was thrust into the spotlight by Adams’ recent health issues.

An unknown ailment had kept the mayor out of the public eye for seven days last week, and the City Hall press office gave only limited explanation. Adams gave more details at a regularly scheduled press conference Wednesday, saying his doctor ordered a series of tests after he went in “feeling real pain in my side.”

He had a limited public schedule last week while he had a battery of tests, including bloodwork and an exam for gut bacteria, as well as an MRI, Mamelak Altus said.

“To some people’s dismay, I’m going to be around for a long time,” Adams said Wednesday. “All the tests came out negative. They want me to do some follow-ups, but I feel good.”

Williams did not feel as good.

“There is a crisis of confidence in our city government and how our mayor is managing the city,” he said, “and these kinds of things add to that crisis of confidence.”

According to the charter, Williams would also become acting mayor if Adams were to be removed from office. Following Adams’ indictment on corruption charges in September, Williams has consistently said he is ready to step in as acting mayor.

Mamelak Altus said there was no need to tell Williams because the executive order preempts the charter. “(Adams) did not violate the charter,” she said. “Anybody who had new responsibilities was informed.”