NYC in tumult as 4 top Adams deputies, led by FDM Maria Torres-Springer, quit

New York City is in turmoil following the resignation of four of Mayor Eric Adams’s top officials days after the Department of Justice has dropped corruption and bribery charges against him on instructions from the Trump administration.

The top officials who announced their resignations include First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer; Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom; Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi; and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Chauncey Parker.

A department spokesperson said the departures are not effective immediately. “They’re going to stay on for the next few weeks to make sure the transition is smooth, and there are already talks about who will replace them,” the spokesperson said in a press statement.

The four are the officials supervising vital sectors of the city’s economy such as budget, housing, transportation, health and human services, among many other areas.

Adams said he is “disappointed to see them go, but given the current challenges, I understand their decision and wish them nothing but success in the future.

“But let me be crystal clear: New York City will keep moving forward, just as it does every day,” he said. “I am solely beholden to the 8.3 million New Yorkers I represent, and I will always put this city first — as I always have.”

The top advisors said, “Due to the extraordinary events of the last few weeks and to stay faithful to the oaths we swore to New Yorkers and our families, we have come to the difficult decision to step down from our roles.”

Adams faces a slew of charges ranging from “conspiracy, wire fraud and soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals, among other counts.” There are additional charges that allege he “sought and accepted improper valuable benefits, such as luxury international travel, including from wealthy foreign businesspeople and at least one Turkish government official seeking to gain influence over him,” according to reports.

But a growing bond has developed between Trump and Adams leading to the president’s’ transition to the White House. Adams strongly denied rumors he sought presidential pardon for the series of charges.

There remains clamor from the public and fellow Democrats demanding that Adams resign.  Governor Kathy Hochul is also under pressure to remove the mayor from office, but she is still weighing her options.

Filipina American Maria Torres-Springer, 48, was first deputy mayor appointed in October. She is respected for her exemplary track record and “distinguished managerial competence.”