Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York on Wednesday said Eric Adams should resign as mayor of New York City, becoming the most prominent Democrat to push for his ouster amid federal corruption investigations involving his administration.
In a statement to The New York Times, Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, a national leader of her party’s progressive wing, said she could “not see how Mayor Adams can continue governing New York City.”
“The flood of resignations and vacancies are threatening government function,” she said. “Nonstop investigations will make it impossible to recruit and retain a qualified administration.”
“For the good of the city,” she added, “he should resign.”
Though she has never been an ally of Mr. Adams and did not endorse him in the 2021 Democratic mayoral primary, Ms. Ocasio-Cortez only selectively involves herself in the politics of her home city. Her decision to do so on Wednesday could help accelerate growing doubts about his hold on City Hall.
Revelations related to a web of investigations involving Mr. Adams and senior members of his administration have been emerging almost daily for weeks. On Tuesday, the chancellor of New York City’s public school system became the latest high-ranking official to announce he was departing.
The Times reported on Monday that federal prosecutors investigating whether Mr. Adams conspired with the Turkish government to funnel illegal foreign donations to his campaign had also sought information about interactions with five other countries.
A handful of other New York progressives have urged Mr. Adams to step down in recent days, including Councilwoman Tiffany Cabán and State Senator Gustavo Rivera. But Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, who represents parts of Queens and the Bronx, is by far the most influential elected official to have called for the mayor’s resignation.
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