Photo: Getty Images
New York City Mayor Eric Adams is defending comments he made about "negroes" calling for his resignation, per The Hill.
During a Black History Month reception on Tuesday (February 25), Adams, who is facing allegations of corruption, campaign bribery, and fraud, sought to highlight his administration's efforts amid calls for his resignation.
"We have opened this place to all," Adams said during his speech.
The mayor also acknowledged the contributions of historical Black leaders and pioneers, including Nat Turner, Marcus Garvey, Rosa Parks, and Barack Obama.
Adams then aimed at those calling for his resignation, calling them "negroes" and suggesting that they were "stupid."
"All these Negroes who were asking me to step down, God, forgive them," he said. "Are you stupid? I'm running my race right now."
When pressed by reporter Curt Menefee, Adams later stood by the comments he made at Gracie Mansion despite the backlash he received.
“Are you implying that if you’re Black, you have to support you?” Menefee asked.
Adams responded that he was asking all New Yorkers for their support, and he was addressing critics who called for him to step down.
Menefee then asked, "So anybody who's Black who calls for you to step down, they need help from God?"
"I didn’t say they needed help from God, but that 'we' should pray for them," Adams shot back.
Calls for Adams' resignation have grown after the mayor was hit with a criminal indictment last year over alleged campaign bribery and fraud. His charges were dropped by the Trump administration, leading to allegations of Adams and the White House engaging in a deal to drop the indictment in exchange with the mayor cooperating with the president's agenda.
During his recent interview with Menefee, Adams questioned the motives behind those calling for his resignation.
"Isn’t our democracy based on who the people of the city elect?" he said. "Why are we trying to disrupt that and take away the power from the people who elected me as mayor?"
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