Receiving little love from Democrats and Republicans alike, Mayor Eric Adams kept short his list of legislative requests during the State Capitol’s annual "Tin Cup Day" in Albany Tuesday.

Many topics were discussed, except the elephant in the room: the mayor’s federal corruption indictment and his efforts to get the Trump administration to dismiss his case.

What You Need To Know

  • Democrats tried to get a straight answer on where Mayor Eric Adams stands in the face of new federal policies

  • Once allies of Adams over his calls for reversing some criminal justice policies, Republicans hammered him on the five boroughs’ sanctuary city status

  • Although a majority of legislators share their city districts with Adams, he’s become a political albatross for many in his own party

The tension was on full display as lawmakers heard requests for aid from across the state.

“I’m not getting the kind of cooperation I think we should be getting,” Bronx Democratic State Sen. Luis Sepulveda said while asking Adams to push harder for a pocket of state funding called “Aid to Localities.”

Democrats tried to get a straight answer on where the mayor stands in the face of new federal policies.

“Will you today clearly state that as long as ICE does not have a judicial warrant signed by a judge, you will deny them entry into New York City public schools, hospitals and any other city property?” State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a Democrat from Queens and mayoral candidate, asked.

Once allies of Adams over his calls for reversing some criminal justice policies, Republicans hammered him on the five boroughs’ sanctuary city status.

“After seeing the chaos, and the expense and now the pain that has been spread throughout New York State, do you think it’s time to end sanctuary policies?” asked State Sen. George Borello, a Republican from Jamestown.

Some of his mayoral primary challengers were primed to pounce.

“I was hoping that the budget would help me discern whether Eric Adams is interested in governing or in pleading for a dismissal of his case,” State Sen. Jessica Ramos, a Queens Democrat, told NY1 after the hearing.

“The mayor of New York City should have his people in Washington fighting for the money New Yorkers need and deserve for housing and healthcare and childcare — not having his lawyers down in Washington bargaining for the dismissal of his indictment,” added Democratic City Comptroller Brad Lander.

Although a majority of legislators share their city districts with Adams, he’s become a political albatross for many in his own party.

“We have neighbors in my neighborhood that are doing ICE watch and recording ICE in my neighborhood roaming the streets. Like, this is terrifying and we really need clear guidance and leadership from our mayor that we are not hearing,” Queens Democratic State Assemblywoman Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas said.

But still, neither a single Democrat nor Republican dared to ask: is he preoccupied with his ongoing federal indictment?

“Speak with Alex and I’m not distracted, I’m focused,” Adams told NY1 when asked if he’s distracted.

Adams also met behind closed doors with Gov. Kathy Hochul, as well as legislative leaders during his trip upstate.