New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday that she will not pursue proceedings to remove Mayor Eric Adams from office, emphasizing the will of the voters and the sanctity of democratic elections.

At a press conference, Hochul stated:

“My strong belief is that the will of the voters and the supremacy and sanctity of democratic elections preclude me from any other action. I cannot deny the people of this great city the power to make this decision for themselves.”

Acknowledging public frustration, she added:

“I understand the outrage and the sense of betrayal many New Yorkers feel. But those who argue to ‘just go and remove him’ fail to appreciate that there is a process involved.”

Rather than removing Adams, Hochul outlined a series of oversight measures to ensure City Hall operates in the best interests of New Yorkers.

Among the key actions:

• Creating a Special Inspector General for New York City Affairs within the Office of the State Inspector General. This position will oversee the city’s Department of Investigation and ensure independent probes into government activity.
• Allocating funds for independent legal action against the Trump administration, if Adams is unwilling to push back against federal control over New York.

State Inspector General Lucy Lang affirmed her commitment to oversight, stating:

“I take seriously the responsibility of ensuring that the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation and her team remain able to do their crucial work shining a light on corruption in New York City.”

City officials welcomed the new oversight authority, with City Comptroller Brad Lander vowing to:

“Fight like hell every day for the eight million people who call New York City home.”

Public Advocate Jumaane Williams urged Hochul to consider all legal contingencies, including an upcoming decision from Judge Ho, before introducing new structures and precedents.

He also warned that Adams’ actions could weaken the city’s autonomy, urging the mayor to carefully weigh the long-term impact of his decisions.

By choosing oversight over removal, Hochul seeks to rein in City Hall without overriding democratic processes, a move likely to shape the ongoing political battles over the city’s governance.