Transcript: Mayor Adams Appears on WNBC’s “News 4 NY At 5”

February 13, 2025

Gilma Avalos: We start with breaking news here at 5. Good to be with you. I'm Gilma Avalos. The top federal prosecutor in New York overseeing the investigation into Mayor Adams has just resigned after refusing to comply with the Justice Department's orders to drop the case. 

The news broke on the same day Mayor Adams met with President Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, here in the city. We have team coverage tonight, starting with News 4's Andrew Siff, live at Gracie Mansion, where he spoke with the mayor just a little more than an hour ago, Andrew.

Andrew Siff: Right. We sat down with the mayor primarily to ask him about his meeting with border czar Tom Homan. The mayor acknowledged that Homan was somewhat frustrated that after their prior meeting certain promises had not been enacted yet. 

He has now reassured Homan that ICE agents will be allowed at Rikers Island to assist investigators there. But he tried to reassure New Yorkers that ICE agents will not be allowed into sensitive locations unless they have a judicial warrant. 

About two hours after the SUVs left the federal office building in lower Manhattan, we sat down with Mayor Eric Adams at Gracie Mansion, where he told us he thought it was a good meeting with border czar Tom Homan.

Mayor Eric Adams:  I believe it was a extremely good meeting. And if I could use one term, communication. It was clear that the border czar had a lot of angst, a lot of concerns, a lot of just uncertainty what was happening here in the city.

Siff: But City Councilmembers who met with Homan today just before the mayor did, said Homan appeared frustrated with Adams.

Mayor Adams: He just said that he's going to hold the mayor responsible for things he said prior, the last meeting they had. 

Siff: At issue, will the city relax its sanctuary city laws and allow ICE agents and other federal authorities broad access to buildings like courthouses, shelters and schools?

City Councilmember Joann Ariola: Tom Homan, if I came away with anything, he's looking for the real bad actors that are in our city that were criminals in their own country.

Siff: The mayor told us he'll help turnover criminals, but not asylum seekers who haven't done anything wrong. 

Mayor Adams: That was not an ask of the border czar. He's very clear that in order to go into those entities, you need a judicial warrant.

Siff: The politics delicate. The meeting just two days after the Justice Department told prosecutors to drop criminal bribery and corruption case against Mayor Adams.

U.S. Representative Hakeem Jeffries: It is the intention of the Trump administration to keep the current mayor on a short leash.

Mayor Adams: You know, it's so important. I'm glad you said that. Go back to Spring of 2022, Spring of 2022. I was saying those who are undocumented and documented that commit crimes must be off our streets. Spring of 2022. We didn't have a President Trump. 

Siff: The mayor's rivals in the upcoming primary, also eager to weigh in. So I hope the mayor is not willing to sacrifice vulnerable New Yorkers for his own skin.

Scott Stringer: Tom Homan came here today to give the mayor his orders, his marching orders. Donald Trump sent them to collect on the debt. 

Siff: And speaking of the mayoral primary, which is four months away, I asked Mayor Adams if he's changing his party affiliation to Republican. He said no. He said he is remaining as a Democrat and will run in the Democratic primary for mayor. We're live at Gracie Mansion, Andrew Siff, News 4 New York.

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