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00:00This is being seen as a stress test of the rule of law.
00:03The astonishing events that have played out around New York City's mayor Eric Adams in
00:09recent days have heightened fears that Trump is trampling all over the rule of law.
00:14Last week, the US Department of Justice moved to drop criminal charges against Adams in
00:20what many regard as a blatant quid pro quo.
00:23Adams pleaded not guilty to corruption charges back in September.
00:27He denies allegations that he asked for the case to be dropped in exchange for supporting
00:32Trump's hardline immigration agenda.
00:34Well, on Wednesday, Mayor Adams is going to be facing a federal judge who will decide
00:38whether or not to grant the Justice Department's request to dismiss the corruption charges.
00:44This follows a week-long clash among government lawyers that led to resignations by several
00:48top prosecutors both here in New York City and in Washington, D.C., who refused to seek
00:54dismissal, one of them saying only a fool would comply with the order.
00:59While the head of New York City Council has called for Adams to resign, the governor is
01:04considering removing him from office.
01:07Several deputy mayors have said that they are going to quit.
01:10Now, remember that Adams, who is a former cop, was actually elected as a Democrat, but
01:16then he drifted towards the right, especially after Trump was elected and after Adams faced
01:22prosecution.
01:23Now, the city is heavily Democratic and now Adams is really seen here as an ally to Trump.
01:28He's even been flirting with the idea of becoming a Republican.
01:30A recent social media post from Trump in which he quoted French Emperor Napoleon encapsulates
01:36all of this.
01:37The quote was, he who saves his country does not violate any laws, essentially a totally
01:43dictatorial approach to the law.
01:45New Yorkers and legal experts are sounding the alarm, saying that both Trump and Adams
01:49are undermining the U.S. judicial system and American democracy.