Natalie Pasquarella: Back in the city, Mayor Adams has less than three weeks left in office.
David Ushery: His four-year term, which was filled with controversy, comes to an end on January 1st. And NEWS 4’s, Andrew Siff, who has covered the mayor often, sat down with Mayor Adams today. Andrew is in Elmhurst. What did he tell you, Andrew?
Andrew Siff: Well, David, Natalie, for one thing, he clarified and said he does plan to attend the inauguration of Zohran Mamdani. That is, if it's okay with the mayor elect. And Mayor Adams said he's also feeling grateful and upbeat about his legacy.
Mayor Eric Adams: There is a beginning and middle and an ending to everything in life.
Siff: Mayor Eric Adams says he's at peace with being a one term mayor.
Mayor Adams: I don't care if it's 12 years like Bloomberg, eight years like de Blasio, or four years like Beame and Dinkins. There's a sun setting. The question becomes what did you do while you were there.
Siff: Amid solid job data and lower crime rates, he's happy Zohran Mamdani is keeping his police commissioner and his housing plan.
Mayor Adams: And so, I think it's smart on behalf of any mayor that takes over. You look at what was successful in the previous administration.
Siff: But he makes the case Mamdani doesn't have a mandate.
Mayor Adams: I know a lot of people are trying to put a spin on this, of a great landslide victory. 49 percent of New Yorkers said no to the DSA and Zohran.
Siff: Are you going to this inauguration?
Mayor Adams: I would love to go and show my support of a smooth transition of power.
Siff: Clarifying as long as it's okay with Mamdani, he'll go, after earlier hinting he might skip Mamdani's inauguration.
Mayor Adams: This is a historical day. First Muslim mayor, the youngest mayor in the history of the city.
Siff: What was going through your mind when you saw how warmly President Trump greeted Mamdani?
Mayor Adams: I thought it was appropriate. Listen, I criticize people who stated President Trump was not their president. And that's what I said to others. 49 percent of New Yorkers did not vote for Zohran. Should they be going around saying Zohran is not their mayor?
Siff: Our one on one with the mayor at the 103rd precinct station house in Queens, the same building where 50 years ago Adams said he and his brother got beat up by police.
Mayor Adams: We were arrested in this precinct and we were taken downstairs in this precinct and we were assaulted. To get off that floor and go on to become the mayor in charge of the entire Police Department, it's just a narrative. And I wanted to come back here and just tell New Yorkers that you can get off of the floors that you're going to find yourself in.
Siff: The mayor insists he was innocent of the corruption charges against him, dropped by the Trump Justice Department. But he adds–
Mayor Adams: I don't blame New Yorkers for saying, “Hey, this guy was always out. He did nothing for the city. He was corrupt.” I don't blame New Yorkers for feeling that way. That's what they read every day.
Siff: As for next steps, the mayor says his future is bright.
Mayor Adams: I have around six or seven very attractive offers and I have to whittle it down.
Siff: So where is Eric Adams four years from now?
Mayor Adams: Smiling more than ever. He smiled before, no matter what he was up against. I'm excited about the future. I'm going to do some great stuff here in New York and in America and across the globe. God has blessed me.
Siff: As for those six or seven job offers, Eric Adams didn't get specific, but he did say he should know yes or no on at least one of them before January 1st.
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