New York City Mayor Eric Adams has sparked controversy by appearing open to switching political parties during recent interviews, fueling speculation about his political future.
Adams, a Democrat, declined to rule out a return to the Republican Party, where he was registered in the 1990s and early 2000s, during interviews with NY1 and PIX11 on Friday.
“The party that’s the most important for me is the American party,” he said. “I’m a part of the American party. I love this country. This is the home of the free, the land of the brave.”
Adams emphasized that he plans to run for reelection as a Democrat but left the door open for potential changes down the line.
These remarks come as Adams, who is facing federal corruption charges, has noticeably aligned more closely with President-elect Donald Trump and his policies, particularly on immigration.
Adams, who campaigned on a centrist platform, has often clashed with the progressive wing of his party. Recently, his rhetoric has shifted rightward, including supporting Trump’s hard-line stance on immigration.
Adams has even suggested rolling back New York City’s “sanctuary” policies, which limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities—a significant departure from his earlier positions. He has also praised Trump allies, including Elon Musk, who has pushed controversial claims about immigration and voter influence.
These developments have alarmed many Democrats, particularly in the progressive faction, who are concerned about Adams’ increasingly conservative positions and potential party shift. Critics have accused Adams of using the moment to rehabilitate his image amid legal troubles and political challenges.
Earlier this week, Adams challenged his critics to “cancel” him after expressing his willingness to collaborate with President Trump and his newly appointed Border Czar, Tom Homan, on addressing the issue of illegal immigration, particularly focusing on the deportation of criminal aliens.
Adams, who has faced significant backlash over his handling of the city’s immigration policies, made his comments amid mounting concerns over the growing number of illegal immigrants entering the country.
According to recent estimates, over 15 million illegal aliens have entered the U.S. under President Biden’s administration. Many of these individuals are military-age males, with a significant portion reportedly coming from countries with high crime rates.
Adams’ remarks came as Tom Homan, a former ICE director under President Trump, was named Border Czar, a role aimed at addressing the ongoing border crisis. Homan is tasked with overseeing efforts to halt illegal immigration and prioritize the deportation of criminal aliens who have committed violent acts, such as murder and rape.
Homan has been a vocal critic of the Biden administration’s handling of border security, accusing it of allowing dangerous criminals into the U.S. under its lax immigration policies.
