Eric Adams responds to indictment: I am innocent and will not resign

Transcript

00:00My fellow New Yorkers, it is now my belief that the federal government intends to charge me with crimes.

00:10If so, these charges will be entirely false based on lies.

00:18But they would not be surprising.

00:21I always knew that if I stood my ground for all of you, that I would be a target, and a target I became.

00:30For months, leaks and rumors have been aimed at me in an attempt to undermine my credibility and paint me as guilty.

00:39Just this past week, they searched the home of our new police commissioner looking for documents from 20 years ago.

00:48Just one week after he joined my administration.

00:52Enough. I will fight these injustices with every ounce of my strength and my spirit.

01:00If I'm charged, I know I am innocent.

01:04I will request an immediate trial so the New Yorkers can hear the truth.

01:09New Yorkers know my story. They know where I come from.

01:14I have been fighting injustice my entire life.

01:18That fight has continued as your mayor.

01:22Despite our police, when the federal government did nothing as its broken immigration policies overloaded our shelter system with no relief,

01:32I put the people of New York before party and politics.

01:39Now, if I am charged, many may say I should resign because I cannot manage the city while fighting the case.

01:49I can also understand how everyday New Yorkers would be concerned that I cannot do my job while I face accusation.

01:58But I have been facing these lies for months since I began to speak out for all of you and their investigation started.

02:08Yet the city has continued to improve. Make no mistake.

02:12You elected me to lead this city and lead it.

02:16I will. I humbly ask for your prayers and your patience as we see this through.

02:23God bless you. God bless the city of New York.