New York City Mayor Eric Adams recently voiced his frustrations with the Biden administration’s response to the migrant crisis in his city. In an interview with Tucker Carlson, Adams shared that when he asked the White House for help, President Joe Biden’s response was “Be a good Democrat, Eric.”
He expressed how this remark and lack of support influenced his disenchantment with the Democratic Party. According to Adams, Biden’s silence and refusal to take action only deepened his belief that the party “left” him and the working-class people behind.
Indicted on bribery and conspiracy charges in September 2024, Adams continued to reflect on his political battles, acknowledging the challenges he faced both legally and within his party. “People often say, ‘You don’t sound like a Democrat. You seem to have left the party,’” Adams said. “No, the party left me, and it left working-class people.” He added, “People are concerned about the future of their families, and that should be our focus. That’s the focus of this administration.”
During the interview, Adams discussed the migrant crisis that has overwhelmed New York City, citing instances where Venezuelan gang leaders arrived and committed crimes. He recalled asking Biden for assistance but receiving little more than condescension. “We have Venezuelan gang leaders that were coming to the city creating crimes,” Adams stated. “The response I got was to be a good Democrat. That was the most shocking thing. I was left with no help.”
As he described the situation, Adams reiterated his desire to work with incoming “Border Czar” Tom Homan to address the criminal migrants in the city. He said he wanted a more hands-on approach to dealing with criminal activity, including deportation.
However, he clarified that he didn’t believe in rounding people up “in the middle of the night,” as some have suggested. Instead, he hoped for a more measured and responsible solution. “I’m at the end of the line here!” Adams exclaimed, visibly frustrated by the lack of progress in addressing the crisis.
Adams also discussed his stance on New York City’s sanctuary status, denying that the city was “welcoming” migrants, as critics have suggested. “This is not about being welcoming. It’s about dealing with a broken immigration system that has placed so much pressure on our city,” he remarked. He explained that while New York City’s sanctuary laws prevent local authorities from working closely with federal immigration officials, he believes certain changes need to be made, especially in cases where migrants commit serious crimes.
“Those who are here committing crimes—robberies, shootings, rapes—need to be removed immediately. That’s the position I’m taking,” Adams said.
He further emphasized that his position was not new, pointing to similar stances taken by former Democrats like Hillary Clinton and Obama. “They said those who commit crimes need to get out right away,” Adams recalled. “This is not a new position. In fact, I’d say it’s one of the most consistent positions in American politics. But now, in the age of cancel culture, people are afraid to speak the truth.”
When asked about his relationship with President Donald Trump, Adams discussed the possibility of collaborating on immigration reform, and his desire to work with Homan, who has been vocal about his plans to begin mass deportations. “I would love to sit down with the border czar and hear his thoughts on how we’re going to address those [who are] harming our citizens,” Adams said.
“If you come into this country and this city and think you’re going to harm innocent New Yorkers—this is not the mayor you want to be under.” He reiterated that his focus was on protecting the people of New York City, especially in the face of mounting challenges.
Despite his disagreements with Biden and some of his party members, Adams rejected letting the political landscape sway his actions. “You can’t live life in the rearview mirror. You got to live life in the front windshield,” he said, referring to his approach to dealing with the current crisis and future political prospects. He remains firm in his belief that working with both sides of the political spectrum is the best way to move the city forward.
With the looming possibility of facing multiple challengers in the upcoming 2025 election, including former Governor Andrew Cuomo, Adams remains focused on his reelection campaign. He also discussed his legal troubles, which have certainly cast a shadow over his campaign. “I’m not here to be perfect. I’m here to protect this city,” he said, reiterating his commitment to the people of New York City, regardless of the political obstacles in his path.
In the meantime, Adams has signaled his willingness to sit down with anyone—whether from the Democratic or Republican side—to address the city’s challenges, particularly the migrant crisis that has become one of the most pressing issues.
His position on working with Trump and his administration, particularly on the issue of immigration, might raise eyebrows, but Adams is adamant that the time for partisanship has passed. “We have a broken immigration system,” he concluded. “It needs to be fixed, and I’m going to keep pushing for those fixes, regardless of what party is in power.”