New York's Governor Meets Top Political Leaders As She Weighs Removing Mayor Eric Adams From Office

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul held a series of meetings with key political figures Tuesday as she contemplates removing Mayor Eric Adams from his office, an unprecedented step that reflects the growing turmoil inside City Hall.

The governor's scheduled sit-downs - with a cohort of influential Black leaders and other top officials - come as Adams, a Democrat, faces questions about whether he has lost the ability to independently govern the city in the wake of a Justice Department move to drop his corruption case so that he could better assist in President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown.

Hochul, also a Democrat, has the power to remove Adams from office. But she has been hesitant to do so, arguing that such a move would be undemocratic, while thrusting the city into an uncharted legal process.

Her political calculus appeared to shift on Monday night after four of Adams' top deputies announced their resignations, which she said "raises serious questions about the long-term future of this Mayoral administration."

Two people familiar with the governor's schedule but who were not authorized to publicly disclose details about the meetings said Hochul was expected to speak on Tuesday with U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, the Rev. Al Sharpton and U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks about the mayor's future. The mayor is not related to the council speaker.