New York City Mayor Eric Adams addressed the public for the first time since the Department of Justice moved to dismiss his corruption case, framing the last 15 months as a difficult but humbling period before pivoting to his reelection campaign.

�I thank the Justice Department for its honesty. Now you can put this cruel episode behind us and focus entirely on the future of our city,� Adams stated in a six-minute livestreamed address. �Despite the fact that I�m no longer facing legal questions, I also understand that many New Yorkers will still question my character, and I know that I must continue to regain your trust.�

Shifting to what sounded like a campaign message, Adams touted his administration�s success in reducing crime and increasing job opportunities. He argued that these achievements have been overshadowed by �shocking headlines full of rumors and accusations� and �innuendos and insinuations.�

�As I said from the outset, I never broke the law. And I never would,� he asserted. �I would never put any personal benefit above my solemn responsibility as your mayor.�

�No witness ever came forward publicly to make claims against me, none of the baseless threats from prosecutors of new charges and new evidence never materialized.�

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)