NEW YORK MINUTE: Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is set to hold a news conference today at Trump Tower, the HQ of his 2016 bid in the city that raised him — and the city he has insulted as being in decline. The former president is in town to appeal the $5 million jury verdict finding him liable of sexual abuse. — Emily Ngo ANOTHER RAID: “Stay focused, no distractions and grind,” Mayor Eric Adams said Thursday, returning to a favorite phrase. But the feds sure are doing their best to distract him. Federal agents executed search warrants on at least five members of his inner circle this week in what appears to be a sprawling new investigation, POLITICO reported. Subjects include: — First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright and her partner, Schools Chancellor David Banks
— Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks
— Adams senior adviser Tim Pearson
— NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban
— The third Banks brother, Terry, a government relations executive
— Other members of NYPD leadership, and maybe more people, too; the full scope of the probe isn’t yet public. With that, Adams’ challengers have settled on a line against him: He can’t stay focused. “Anyone would be distracted when very large parts of their senior leadership team is facing FBI raids and federal prosecutor investigations,” City Comptroller Brad Lander, who’s planning to run for mayor, told Playbook. “I think New Yorkers have reason for two concerns: about distraction and about trustworthiness.” Former Comptroller Scott Stringer said the same in a post on X: “Eric Adams ran on curbing chaos and disorder, yet there is nothing more chaotic than a mayor distracted by his inner circle getting raided by the feds.” “New Yorkers are facing a historic cost of living crisis. An administration plagued by corruption and distracted by scandal cannot effectively deal with it,” added Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, who’s expected to run. Meanwhile, state Sen. Zellnor Myrie kept his message more subtle, showing he wasn’t distracted on the first day of school. “Here’s what I’m focused on today: creating a safe space for kids after school,” he posted on X, sharing an op-ed. To add to the distraction, the Post reported that the investigation involves enforcement of nightlife establishments — when the mayor’s appreciation for the city’s restaurants and clubs has already been a sore spot. City Hall is quick to note that Adams himself hasn’t been accused of any wrongdoing and neither has anybody in his inner circle yet, across what seems to be three separate ongoing federal investigations. But political experts see him as increasingly vulnerable. “The stench of corruption pervades the Adams administration,” said author and retired Baruch College political science professor Doug Muzzio. “New Yorkers need to hear from the mayor, and soon. He looks more and more like a one-termer if he lasts that long.” Hear from Eric? He wishes he could, but “it would just be irresponsible of me,” he told Fox 5 Thursday evening, since he knows he has to “allow the reviews to take their course.” And the investigations, as most people call them, are continuing. When Adams was asked how he can convince New Yorkers he isn’t distracted, he reminded viewers the first federal investigation (Turkish influence) has been public for 10 months now. Schools opened Thursday, “and we continue to see everything from record jobs, to a decrease in crime,” Adams said. “Stay focused, no distractions and grind.” — Jeff Coltin IT’S FRIDAY. Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman. WHERE’S KATHY? Holding a discussion on antisemitism and later making a back-to-school announcement on Long Island. WHERE’S ERIC? Appearing at a flag raising ceremony and speaking with PIX 11. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I’m so excited about this ‘all of the above’ approach — except for the fracking and the coal — wind and solar, geothermal, hydrogen or even splitting an atom.” — Gov. Kathy Hochul, signaling an openness to nuclear power as a solution for reducing emissions, POLITICO Pro reported.
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