Eric Adams indictment latest: Feds raid Gracie Mansion at dawn as mayor faces charges

New York City Mayor Eric Adams refused to resign and painted himself as the victim in a video released hours after a grand jury returned an indictment against him.

The mayor, 64, issued his response as he became the first New York City mayor to be charged criminally while still in office on Wednesday.

'It is now my belief that the federal government is attempting charge me with crimes,' the mayor said, saying that his stance on the migrant crisis made him a 'target.'

'For months, leaks, rumors, have been aimed at me in an attempt to undermine my credibility and paint me as guilty,' he went on.

'Despite our pleas, the federal government did nothing as it's broken immigration policies [and] overloaded our shelter system.

'I put the people of New York before party and politics.'

He concluded: 'You elected me to lead this city, and lead it I will... I humbly ask for your prayers and patience as we see this through. God bless you, and God bless the city of New York. Thank you.'

In the wake of the historic indictment against New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday night, the former NYPD chief is facing mounting calls to resign.

Leading the charge was Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who called for his resignation 'for the good of the city' before the indictment was even announced.

AOC cited the wide-ranging corruption investigation that has seen several top New York officials step down in recent weeks, which she said 'are threatening government function.'

'Nonstop investigations will make it impossible to recruit and retain a qualified administration,' she said. '(I can't) see how Mayor Adams can continue governing New York City.'

This line was echoed by Scott Stringer, the former NYC comptroller who is running against Adams in the Democratic mayoral primary next year.

'There is simply zero chance that the wheels of government will move forward from this full steam ahead,' Stringer said, feeling that Adams stepping aside would be 'for the good of the city.'

'We are left with a broken down train wreck of a municipal government.'

Another of Adams' primary opponents, current NYC comptroller Brad Lander, said that Adams 'deserves due process and the presumption of innocence', but argued fighting the charges would make running the Big Apple impossible.

'It is clear that defending himself against serious federal charges will require a significant amount of the time and attention needed to govern this great city,' he said.

'The most appropriate path forward is for him to step down so that New York City can get the full focus its leadership demands.'

Federal agents descended on Mayor Eric Adams' official residence early on Thursday morning, hours before prosecutors are expected to announce charges.

The 6am raid on the Adams' Gracie Mansion, in Manhattan's Upper East Side, saw a group of around a dozen agents enter the property with backpacks and duffel bags.

It came after a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Adams following a wide-ranging corruption investigation, however the exact charges agains the mayor are not yet clear.