Eric Adams’ Attendance At Trump’s Inauguration, Amid Pardon Talks, Triggers Political Backlash At Home

NEW YORK — Black political and religious leaders criticized Mayor Eric Adams’ decision to skip local Martin Luther King Jr. Day events Monday in favor of attending the presidential inauguration of Donald Trump.

The president, who is anathema to Adams’ fellow Democrats, has indicated a willingness to pardon the indicted mayor.

“Some that should be here celebrating Dr. King with us in this room have chosen to go to Washington to celebrate felon 47,” City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams — one of New York City’s highest ranking Black politicians who shares the mayor’s political base — said to cheers during an MLK event.

The mayor, who was scheduled to attend the Brooklyn event as of Sunday night, left town around 3 a.m. to head to Trump’s inauguration in what his staff described as a last-minute decision following a last-minute invitation from Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East envoy and a New York real estate developer.

So while his fellow Democrats — and reelection rivals — were in New York City honoring King, Adams was in D.C. posing for photos with cryptocurrency billionaire Brock Pierce, who recently hosted a campaign fundraiser for Adams in Puerto Rico and flew him to the island on his private jet in 2021. The man-about-town mayor also posed for a photo with influencer brothers Logan and Jake Paul before watching from an overflow room as Trump took the oath of office in the Capitol Rotunda.

Adams’ choice — which POLITICO first reported — provided ammo to his critics.

“He made it very clear that Eric Adams cares more about a pardon than the people,” said Michael Blake, a former state lawmaker and one of two Black men challenging Adams in the June primary. “It’s absolutely unacceptable that he is celebrating the legacy of Trump, as opposed to the legacy of King.”

Political risk for the mayor looms. Black voters were instrumental to his 2021 victory in a crowded field for an open seat. He won every major Black neighborhood in the city and has strived to maintain that connection during his tumultuous first term. Those same voters have repeatedly rejected Trump, helping to deliver former Vice President Kamala Harris a 38-point victory in New York City last year. And as the city’s second Black mayor prepares to defend his seat, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who has overlapping pockets of support, is considering challenging Adams.

Prominent Black Democrats in New York who have been sympathetic to the mayor’s legal woes are increasingly skeptical of his rationale for courting Trump.

“To say you’re not going to raise your eyebrows would be being dishonest,” Al Sharpton said Monday morning on MSNBC after learning of the mayor’s early-morning pilgrimage to the Capitol. “I think that this will cause a lot of us to say: What is this all about?”

Adams had company from within his admin.

Chief of Department John Chell and Deputy Commissioner for Operations Kaz Daughtry, whom Adams counts as close allies, were spotted in Washington. Chell attended Trump’s New York City rally at Madison Square Garden, where he gave an on-screen interview to conservative television network Newsmax in his police uniform.

The department said in a statement D.C. law enforcement agencies requested assistance from the NYPD for Monday’s ceremonies and that the duo was there to assist with those efforts — though Chell was also spotted glad-handing GOP officials out on the town.

Adams invoked the slain civil rights leader King in defending his decision, calling Inauguration Day “a sacred American tradition,” in a post on X. “On MLK Day, like Reverend Dr. King said, we must put partisan politics aside to do what’s best for our country. I believe there’s much we can achieve working alongside the federal government as we support our city’s values and fight for New Yorkers.”

Assemblymember Al Taylor, a Black pastor who represents Harlem, backed up the mayor.

“I’d like to think that he’s going to have some takeaways that are beneficial to the city,” he said. “I believe he’s going to bring home the bacon. That’s what New York needs, as much as we can.”

Both the mayor and Taylor neglected to mention Adams’ five-count federal bribery case set to be tried in April. Trump has said he is open to issuing Adams a pardon. And both Adams and Trump have characterized their respective criminal cases as acts of vengeance from a politicized Department of Justice.

“There is a blurred line between what is beneficial for him and what is beneficial for New York City and voters,” said Basil Smikle Jr., former head of the New York Democratic Party under Cuomo.

“Everybody to [Adams’] left will split a lot of votes,” he added. “So the only person that you may see a real challenge from — and everybody is talking about it — is Andrew Cuomo.”

The mayor repeatedly expressed interest in attending the inauguration, but was characteristically coy about his plans.

At 12:07 Monday morning, his press office issued a public schedule including MLK events in Brooklyn and in Harlem and a CBS News interview on the inauguration. Around eight hours later, they reissued the schedule with a single notification: “Approximately 12:00 PM – Attends Inauguration of President Trump.”

Adams’ deputy mayor for communications, Fabien Levy, said the mayor received the invitation from Witkoff after midnight.

What ensued was a dramatic split screen: Adams hobnobbing with Republican billionaires in Washington as a few hundred people gathered at Convent Avenue Baptist Church in Harlem to hear speeches about the potential dangers of a second Trump administration.

Adams’ absence was noted from the altar.

“My staff has been telling me, ‘don’t say anything, Dr. Kilgore,’” the reverend, James Kilgore, said. “We have a few very important elected officials who are not present. So I don’t have to say any more.”

The commemoration in the historic seat of Black political power in New York City drew Gov. Kathy Hochul, Rep. Adriano Espaillat and city Comptroller Brad Lander, who is challenging Adams’ reelection this year.

“Every elected official can make their own decision,” Hochul — an Adams ally — said when asked about the mayor’s absence. “I’m glad I’m here today in Harlem.”

Some congregants gave the mayor more grace than speakers at the lectern — a sign that the mayor will not be so easily dispatched.

“I think who was supposed to be here is here,” said John Laguer, a minister who attended the event. “We’re not mad at that.”