New York City Mayor Eric Adams defended his continued cooperation with President Donald Trump after a Friday meeting at the White House that Adams hoped would secure federal funds for the city. However, Trump downplayed the encounter, suggesting Adams merely stopped by to offer gratitude.
“Almost nothing,” Trump said when asked what the two discussed. “He came in to say hello. He was very nice. I think he came in to thank me, frankly.”
Adams, who has faced mounting criticism for working closely with the Trump administration, previously agreed to limited cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, including reopening Rikers Island to ICE agents. Despite that, Adams has avoided publicly confronting the president, insisting that quiet diplomacy is the only way to deliver for New Yorkers.
“I can’t get into a yelling match just because it feels good,” Adams said in February. “I have to produce for this city.”
Still, critics accuse Adams of prioritizing political self-preservation over standing up to Trump’s controversial policies. State Senator Zellnor Myrie accused the mayor of caring more about “staying on Donald Trump’s good side than fighting for New York City,” while Comptroller Brad Lander said Adams’ approach amounts to a humiliating capitulation that has yielded no benefits.
Oval Office meetings are rare for city leaders, and while Adams’ visit may appear symbolic, it ended without any clear commitments from the administration.
Adams is running for re-election, and the political risks of his approach were underscored as federal prosecutors, on the same day as the White House visit, unsealed dozens of search warrant documents related to the now-dropped corruption probe into his campaign.
The documents, released following media requests and a court order, showed that three federal judges had approved search warrants for Adams’ electronic communications, citing reasonable cause. The warrants focused on the mayor’s campaign finances and acceptance of travel upgrades. While no new explosive revelations were made, the materials underscored ongoing scrutiny.
Adams has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and maintains that his focus remains on delivering results for New Yorkers—even if that means working with an unpopular president.
