Adams Indicted: NYC Shaken

Plus, a magical message.

September 27, 2024

The Flag

Good morning and Happy Friday! Here are the Flag’s Top Five stories that should be on your radar to start the day:

  • US: Hurricane Helene grows to dangerous Category 3 storm, expected to bring "catastrophic and deadly" storm surge to Florida (CBS News)

  • World: Israel rejects US-backed Lebanon ceasefire plan, hits Beirut again (Reuters)

  • Business: Southwest reveals when and how it will get rid of open seating (CNN)

  • Technology: Samsung's Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra and Galaxy Tab S10+ are tablets built for AI (Engadget)

  • Sports: Former Kia NBA MVP Derrick Rose announces retirement after 16 years (NBA)

And of course, some good news: Researchers Discover 200-year-old Message in a Bottle: A ‘Magic Moment’.

BECOME A FLAG BEARER

👀 Sunday Sneak Peak: While the scales of justice balance below, the sneakers of the Supreme Court echo above. Can a friendly game of hoops really bridge partisan divides?” Don’t miss out on the full scoop—click to become a premium subscriber and get the full story!

POWERED BY MONEY

Inflation has led to increased home maintenance costs, with some repairs exceeding $5,000 and certain states experiencing up to a 39% rise in average expenses. A home warranty can help you budget and provide coverage for eligible appliances and systems against unexpected events like earthquakes, floods, and fires.

Right: The Troubling Immigration Reality, James Antle, The American Conservative

Left: Does Harris Need More Battleground State Visits? Bill Scher, Washington Monthly

Left: The Election Is Getting Down to the Wire, D.D. Guttenplan, The Nation

Left: 5 Takeaways From Harris' MSNBC Interview, Jarvis DeBerry, MSNBC

NEW YORK CITY

Adams Indicted: NYC Shaken

Today’s Top Story: On Wednesday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams was indicted on five counts, including wire fraud and accepting over $10 million in illegal campaign contributions and bribes. Adams, the first sitting NYC mayor to face criminal charges, plans to fight the allegations, calling himself a "target."

Reporting from the Right: Historic federal indictment against Mayor Adams claims he took $123K in free luxury travel, ritzy perks (New York Post)

Reporting from the Left: Feds charge NYC mayor with selling his influence to foreign nationals. He says he won’t resign (AP)

RIGHT-LEANING SENTIMENT

What Happens Now?

The Top Argument From The Right: What happens to Eric Adams now? Brady Knox, Washington Examiner: “Despite growing calls to resign, calls sure to increase, Adams has insisted he will not resign. The New York City charter doesn’t allow voters to remove Adams prematurely, and an indictment doesn’t require him to resign. The one avenue to removing him lies in the hands of Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY). Under the city charter, Hochul has the authority to remove Adams for up to 30 days and then remove him ‘after service upon him of a copy of the charges and an opportunity to be heard in his defense,’ the New York Times reported. Two leading candidates, City Comptroller Brad Lander and state Sen. Zellnor Myrie, were among the first to call on Adams to resign after the revelation of his indictment. Former City Comptroller Scott Stringer also called on the mayor to resign, though he is only ‘exploring’ a mayoral bid after a failed attempt in 2021, the New York Post reported. Recently announced mayoral candidate Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a socialist, called on Adams to resign. Though he remained silent, a dark horse candidate to replace Adams is former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is eyeing a comeback after resigning in disgrace three years ago over sexual assault allegations. However, despite the sharks circling, Adams has insisted there is no chance he will resign.”

Honorable Mention #1: If Convicted, Mayor Adams Faces Up to 45 Years Imprisonment, Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review.

Honorable Mention #2: After the Eric Adams Indictment, What’s Next? Tari Arbel, The Wall Street Journal.

LEFT-LEANING SENTIMENT

NYC Deserves Better

The Top Argument From The Left: Mayor Adams’s Indictment Leaves City Hall Leaderless, Mara Gay, The New York Times: “[This indictment]…represents the lowest point of a failed mayoralty that has delivered stunningly little to the city it was meant to serve. Adams was elected in 2021 vowing to improve public safety and trust in the Police Department. He said he would be a voice for working-class residents in the city. He promised a campaign focused on literacy in the nation’s largest public school system. What New York City received instead was a mayor who filled City Hall with his cronies and patronage hires. Several of his highest-ranking appointments, including his former police commissioner, schools chancellor and a top deputy mayor, are under separate federal investigations, and several are among a widening group of city officials who have resigned, either in protest or disgrace. The images on Thursday of federal agents arriving at Gracie Mansion before dawn brought reality into painful relief: New York City is without any clear leadership, a situation that is untenable. … There are pressing needs in New York City, beginning with affordable housing, and few signs that City Hall is up to meeting those needs. … The more than eight million residents of New York City deserve better.”

Honorable Mention #1: Eric Adams indicted: This is just the tip of the iceberg. Ross Barkan, Slate.

Honorable Mention #2: MAGA Is Already Spinning Wild Conspiracies on Eric Adams’s Indictment, Paige Oamek, The New Republic.

FLAG THIS

Adams Deeply Unpopular

A poll by the Manhattan Institute, conducted between April 8-11, showed Adams facing significant challenges. Only 16% of respondents said they would vote for Adams in reelection, while 67% preferred a different candidate.

At the time, his approval rating stood at just 24%, with 73% disapproving and only 4% strongly approving of his performance; moreover, 68% of likely voters feel the city is on the wrong track (Manhattan Institute).

Do you believe Mayor Adams should step down from his role?

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WATERCOOLER

Adams to Negotiate, Fruit Sugar Truths, Heavy Internet

On This Day in 1779, the Continental Congress appointed John Adams to travel to France as minister plenipotentiary in charge of negotiating treaties of peace and commerce with Great Britain during the Revolutionary War.

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Inflation has led to increased home maintenance costs, with some repairs exceeding $5,000 and certain states experiencing up to a 39% rise in average expenses. A home warranty can help you budget and provide coverage for eligible appliances and systems against unexpected events like earthquakes, floods, and fires.

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