Mayor Eric Adams insisted he will “talk to who I want” as he defended his relationship with President Trump and signaled the Big Apple would work with the White House to enforce its looming illegal migrant online registry.
Hizzoner lashed out at critics amid calls from lefty pols to have him ousted or resign over his willingness to work with the White House on the border crisis — and accusations of engaging in a “quid pro quo” with the Trump administration to get the federal corruption case against him tossed.
“There’s a level of buffoonery that’s going on, that’s spreading as fast as COVID. ‘Well, well, you shouldn’t be talking to the president,’” Adams told a Black History Month reception at Gracie Mansion Tuesday night, referring to the unnamed critics.
“I’m the mayor of the biggest city in America. I will talk to who I want to, to bring services to your city.”
Hours later, he doubled down on his right to have a productive relationship with the Trump administration, telling FOX5’s “Good Day New York” early Wednesday he was “happy” there was an administration prepared to get touch on illegal migrants.
Adams, too, suggested the city would work with the federal government amid reports the Trump administration is planning to roll out its online registry of illegal immigrants as early as this week.
The registry will force undocumented migrants to submit personal information, including names, fingerprints and home addresses — or risk fines and arrest.
“The new order that came down, the corporation counsel will look at it and make sure we are in compliance with both federal and city law,” the mayor said.
“I am allowed under city law to collaborate with any criminal enforcement, and that is what I’ve been calling for for two years, and I’m happy there’s an administration that heard me, and they’re really willing to collaborate,” he added.
Adams stressed, though, that the Big Apple doesn’t collaborate with the feds on civil immigration enforcement based on the city’s current sanctuary laws.
Meanwhile, elsewhere during his Tuesday night speech, Adams ripped any suggestion that he won’t be running for reelection — as he took aim at those who have called for him to throw in the towel of late.
“What we have done, you have to be stupid to try to stop me from running this race,” he said, firing off a list of his admin’s accomplishments — including building housing and taking guns off the streets.
“This is a biblical moment. When Jesus was on the cross, he said ‘God forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ All these negros who are asking me to step down, God forgive them,” Adams added.
“Are you stupid? I’m running my race right now.”
