Press Room

Date: 2/13/2025

To: NYC Commissioners and Agency Heads

From: New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams 

Subject: Serving the City in the Mayor's Absence

When the mayor’s office is vacant, it is my responsibility as Public Advocate to temporarily step in. The charter is less clear when a mayor has seemed to abandoned much of his duty, but not his position – so it’s up to each of you, to all of us, to steward the city in that absence.

Given the directive for the mayor’s case being dropped without prejudice, he is entirely beholden to the favor of the president and his agenda. But the city simply cannot be.

It is even more important now that we don’t stand down, but stand up, stand behind the New Yorkers we serve. These are tough times, and I know you are in very difficult positions. Yet the past consequences of the mayor's dereliction of duty should help us see the need to carry on the good work of governing for the people, not the person. I and many others are there to support you in service on behalf of the public.

I know that there are many initiatives and ideologies at play in agencies across the city that we may disagree on – we did last week, and we will tomorrow. But right now, it is incumbent on all of us to show that even with a mayor unable to impartially lead in this moment, city services will continue and we will keep working to meet the needs of all New Yorkers – including our newest residents and those who have long been struggling.

In service,

Jumaane D. Williams

Public Advocate for the City of New York

"The mayor is simply lying to New Yorkers – the good news is, he’s never given them a reason to believe him before, so I hope they don’t start now. 

"He is still entitled to prove his innocence, but that is not what happened here. The Department of Justice did not drop this case because they believe the mayor to be innocent, they explicitly stated that this decision is not based on a review of evidence. Nor is it gone forever – the request is to dismiss without prejudice, with the ability to bring the case back in the future. Dropping this case is purely a political favor to a man who can now be leveraged and threatened, a practice that should concern all Americans. 

"The mayor is trying to sell misinformation to a city he’s already decided to sell out. This is not in fact over, it’s just being held over his head. He refuses to even address the conduct that led to the indictment in the first place, or how he could hope to govern while under Donald Trump’s thumb. We don’t have a mayor who cares enough to be honest about his case or his inability to lead – the truth is, we barely have a mayor at all. 

"I would call for the mayor to resign, but that would mean him putting the interests of the city first. At this point it is beyond clear that he can't or doesn't care enough to, and that should anger every New Yorker."

"According to the Department of Justice's recent directive, Mayor Adams adopted a strategy of selling out marginalized New Yorkers and our city’s values to avoid personal and legal accountability. Well, it worked. I hope it was worth it.

"The mayor has always had the presumption of innocence – something he has rarely extended to the New Yorkers he’s detained on Rikers pre-trial, or wanted deported based on accusations. He said he wanted his day in court, but instead sidestepped that system using the privilege and power that so few people have access to. This is obscene and obvious – the White House doesn’t want to lose their deputy in New York City. 

"It seems clear that the person we’ve had in City Hall the last several months is the real Eric Adams, and New Yorkers shouldn’t forget that. He owes New Yorkers what he has refused to demonstrate to date: honesty, transparency, humility, and some assurance that he can make up for his many bad decisions that got us here. But he knows what we all know – the person he really owes, a fealty that should anger and worry us all, is Donald Trump, and the worst of his policies."

To the incredible workforce of New York City,

First of all, thank you. Thank you for your undaunted commitment to public service, to doing what you can for the people of our city in an increasingly difficult environment. Public service is always a challenge, I know, and threats from the federal government toward everything from our funding to our neighbors can make it near-impossible to navigate the good work of doing good.

I wish, at this moment, that you had a leader who would provide moral and governing clarity. Instead, you have our mayor.

Every day, Mayor Adams makes it more clear that he is willing to maneuver city government not to better the lives of New Yorkers, but to advance his own personal agenda. As you try to address the fears of students, of shelter residents, of people relying on critical city services, his advice seems to be – do nothing in the face of the worst policies of the Trump White House. We saw this in the mayor’s order last week for city workers to allow ICE into sensitive locations when “reasonably threatened,” and in his new directive ordering commissioners to adopt his strategy of acquiescence.

Donald Trump is not the mayor of New York City. City workers do not take orders from him – well, except perhaps one specific city employee, up in Gracie Mansion. So I want you to know that there are citywide and other elected leaders who see you and acknowledge your concern and courage in the face of confusing and frustrating  directives come from City Hall. City employees are obliged to serve our fellow New Yorkers, no matter who they voted for, and on the same standard, city leadership should stand up for public workers performing that service. 

Since our mayor is otherwise preoccupied, I wanted to take this moment on behalf of all New York to say: i thank you for all you do, and I’m sorry for all the mayor isn’t.

In service,  Jumaane D. Williams Public Advocate for the City of New York

"The mayor has ordered shelters and schools to comply with ICE if they feel ‘reasonably threatened.’  At this point, immigrant New Yorkers and their families likely feel threatened by their mayor's previous silence and now his actions. This new directive undercuts past guidance and sidesteps our sanctuary laws, escalating that harm.

"This new directive will also almost certainly guarantee greater suffering for New Yorkers who are already vulnerable. City employees should not be put in harm’s way – and whatever its intent, this directive will encourage ICE to be even more violent and intimidating toward city workers and immigrant communities alike. It will force city workers to choose between their morals and their mayor’s orders. ICE has always been used to instill fear and sow chaos amidst our communities, and we will not abide by directives that intend to break our laws and subvert the defense of our communities.

"It’s clear now that while the mayor still refuses to criticize the dangers coming out of DC, he’s more than willing to aid and abet them. New Yorkers in vulnerable communities have long been harmed by people in power who saw their existence as a 'reasonable threat.' Whatever comes from City Hall or the White House, it will continue to be my office's duty to help uphold the safety and protection of all New Yorkers."

"I am happy the mayor is feeling better – at the same time, I feel deeply disturbed by this latest evidence of the mayor ignoring city regulations to suit his own purposes. He has long demonstrated a tendency to test how far he can go in bending or breaking rules, and this is a clear example.

"Communication is key – not only in the event that the public advocate needs to assume mayoral powers, but to proactively ensure the city charter can and will be followed in the event of a serious outcome. Now more than ever New Yorkers need full faith in the continuity and competence of the city's government. Given the new disclosure of the mayor’s time under anesthesia last week, and his office’s failure to inform the public advocate of that fact at the time, it seems clear that this was a violation of the charter.

"Designating certain authorities to the First Deputy Mayor does not constitute the due diligence of a responsible leader, and it does not replace the charter’s language on the continuity of government.  Failing to communicate in this case is irresponsible at best and deceptive at worst. 

"In the event of any future vacancies or absences, both the public and governing partners must be able to trust that the process is followed and the government is functioning – this mayor is undermining that aim."