Mayor Eric Adams turned the page on his historic indictment. 

“Today finally marks the end of this chapter," he said Wednesday.

What You Need To Know

  • Mayor Eric Adams expressed relief on Wednesday as he looked to close the book on his unprecedented federal indictment 

  • In September, Adams was indicted on five charges, including bribery, fraud and receiving illegal campaign donations. 

  • In a moment of confidence, Adams said he's going to run for relection and is "going to win" 

Adams was indicted on five federal charges in September last year, including bribery, fraud and receiving illegal campaign donations. 

Six months later, those charges are gone. 

“I have always been solely beholden to the people of this city. No special interests, no political opponents but just everyday New Yorkers," he said.

Adams was triumphant on Wednesday, a stark contrast to his initial reaction when he was indicted in September.

It was a different scene then outside Gracie Mansion, with Adams defiant and ready to point fingers. 

“The federal government intends to charge me with crimes. If so, these charges would be entirely false, based on lies but they would not be surprising. I always knew that if I stood my ground for all of you that I would be a target and a target I became,” said Adams in September in a video message to New Yorkers.   

The mayor’s lawyers have argued that the case was brought because of the mayor’s criticism of the Biden administration’s handling of the migrant crisis. It was a claim rejected by Federal Judge Dale E. Ho in his decision that still allowed the charges to be dropped. 

Adams once again brought up his issues with the federal government, holding up a book by FBI Director Kash Patel.

In the book, Patel alleges corruption at the highest levels of government. 

“I’m going to encourage every New Yorker to read it. Read it and understand how we can never allow this to happen to another innocent American," he said.

From embattled to back in the battle for Adams, who is fighting for a second term in office.

Adams is facing a large field of Democratic challengers, including frontrunner and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. He will also have to make up ground with low approval ratings, a low recent fundraising haul and a lack of key allies.  

Despite it all, this was Adams’ upbeat reaction when asked about running for reelection.

“And you know what, I’m going to win," he said.

Ironically, April was also the same month that Adams’ trial was set to start.

Thursday is the deadline for candidates to turn in enough signatures to appear in the June Democratic primary.