Transcript: Mayor Adams Appears on CNN’s “CNN News Central”

June 11, 2025

Boris Sanchez: What started as a protest against immigration enforcement in Los Angeles has now spread to cities across the country. Thousands of people have taken to the streets in places like San Francisco, Denver, Chicago and New York, with even more demonstrations planned throughout the week. At least one state, Texas, is already deploying the National Guard in anticipation.  

In New York City, police say they arrested 86 people during protests overnight after large crowds marched through lower Manhattan. Police blocking some of those demonstrators as they started to surround immigration offices. Notably today, the police commissioner said New York does not need help from the National Guard or other federal agencies to handle the protests. Let's discuss with New York City Mayor Eric Adams.  

Mayor, thank you for being with us. Those 86 arrests last night, generally, can you tell us what crimes they're being charged with and can you give us a sense of who these protesters are and whether you have any evidence that they're paid agitators? 

Mayor Eric Adams: Well, we have witnessed [this] before and New York is not unfamiliar with protests. I've marched in protests and I've also protected protesters as a police officer. But one rule will always be a constant. You can protest, but you would not destroy property and you would not harm innocent people in the process. And when we make an arrest, it's because individuals have crossed the line.  

And we are aware that there are members from Antifa who have made their way into the city. And we saw this before. This is not the first time we have [seen] outside agitators that continue to disrupt the right to protest. And this is not going to be tolerated here in this city. 

Sanchez: And again, just to be clear, you have evidence that these are outside agitators or paid agitators, as the administration has described them in some cases? 

Mayor Adams: I don't have a complete breakdown of who was apprehended, the [86] people. But if they're outside agitators or long standing New Yorkers, you can't cross the line. You can't go from protesting to doing violent acts. And so we're not going to state that if only you're an outside agitator, whomever decides to go from being a peaceful protester to disrupting the city, blocking traffic, sitting in the middle of the street, blocking emergency vehicles, that's not acceptable in this city. 

Sanchez: Mayor, have you been in contact with Governor Hochul about mobilizing the state's National Guard over the coming days? I wonder if she were to reject that idea. Would you support the federalization of those units? 

Mayor Adams: I communicated with Governor Hochul two days ago, and often whenever we deal with emergency situations we collaborate together. And she stated, “Eric, whatever you need to make sure we maintain order.” I told her that I have a Police Department of over 30,000 officers that are well trained, that deal with large crowds, deal with disruptions, and I said, “We have this under control. We do not need any assistance at this time.” And there are other law enforcement entities that we can mobilize before going to the National Guard. But she has reached out and stated whatever we need, she's here to assist. 

Sanchez: Understood. Mayor, I want to ask you about the City Council pushing for an investigation into whether the NYPD has shared sealed records with ICE, what could be a violation of local law. Can you confirm whether the NYPD or any other local agency is collaborating with federal immigration enforcement? 

Mayor Adams: We've made it clear over and over again that we will not collaborate with any agencies when it comes to civil enforcement. The law does not allow us to do that. But we will collaborate when it comes down to criminal enforcement. And it's unfortunate that the City Council chooses to use their power to find out if there's any collaboration instead of really advocating for going after those who commit serious crimes, acts of violence.  

Not only on New Yorkers, but also on migrants and asylum seekers, forcing women into prostitution, selling drugs, shooting at police officers, assaulting individuals. Our focus should be on protecting innocent New Yorkers. We're not collaborating with anyone when it comes down to civil enforcement.  

But I said this before and I'll say it again, ICE is not a criminal organization. It's a federal law enforcement organization like our other federal partners. And we will use them to protect innocent people in this city. 

Sanchez: I wonder what you make of the allegation from council speaker and your rival mayoral candidate Adrienne Adams that you've been compromised by President Trump after the DOJ dropped your corruption case. Why should New Yorkers believe that this isn't a political tradeoff? 

Mayor Adams: Well, I think that many like her, they've been compromised from the previous administration. This previous administration cost us $7.7 billion with a B and no one raised their voice. I raised my voice under the previous administration and I raised my voice under this administration when $80 million was clawed back from us.  

You cannot be silent based on what party is in power. You [saw] inconsistency from this administration. And first they stated that the charges were going to be held over my head. The charges were dismissed with prejudice, not coming back.  

So there is no excuse for them to continue to remain silent when it comes down to protecting working class New Yorkers. That's what I'm doing. I did [it] under the previous administration and I'm doing it under this administration. That's the consistency we should see from all elected officials. 

Sanchez: Just to be clear, mayor, when DOJ dropped your case, they explained that they did so in order to keep you from being “Unduly restricted and your ability to help with immigration.” You don't see that as potentially undermining your credibility on this issue, especially with voters in the upcoming election. You can attest that you feel no obligation or pressure from the administration. 

Mayor Adams: Well, it's clear when I moved throughout the city and talked to New Yorkers over close to 80 percent of New Yorkers support my position that those who are undocumented that commit criminal acts after they serve their times, they should be deported from our country.  

I think I speak on behalf of working class people in the city that want to live safely. We know I took an oath under oath in federal court. I responded to that question. So those who want to continue to reiterate a lie, there's nothing I can do about it. But working class people support my position around dangerous, undocumented individuals. 

Sanchez: And quickly, mayor, I want to get your reaction to New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg endorsing former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the race. What did you make of that? 

Mayor Adams: Great deal of respect for former Mayor Bloomberg, a great New Yorker. He has been a constant advisor on things that are important. I'm not in the Democratic primary. We're going to see the results of the Democratic primary.  

And I'm going to meet my opponents in November and have an opportunity to let New Yorkers know how we turn around crime, increase the environments in our city and [how we] dealt with major issues from COVID to migrants and asylum seekers.  

And that's why [the] bond raters have increased my bond, because they know we've managed during difficult times. And I look forward to a very lively discussion during the campaign season. This election is not over until November, and we're looking forward to that. 

Sanchez: And finally, mayor, the late Congressman Charlie Rangel, a strong advocate for immigrant rights, is lying in state in City Hall this week. What does his legacy mean to you at this moment when there's so much division about the issue of immigration and protest as well in your city? 

Mayor Adams: Well, you know, he was a mentor [and] a friend. And yes, he was an advocate, advocate for immigrant rights. But he also was an advocate for the country. He was a soldier, a staff sergeant, served in the Korean War. And he loved this country. And he made it home.  

But there's countless number of soldiers who didn't, like my Uncle Joe at 19 years old. And so when we talk about his love of immigration, let's also talk about his love for the country and the rule of law. He would completely agree that those who come here should come here to contribute to the country and not hurt those who are in the country. And may he rest in peace. I'm looking forward to meeting his body when it comes today to City Hall and for the ceremony we will perform tomorrow. He's a great American. 

Sanchez: Mayor Eric Adams, we have to leave the conversation there. Thank you for the time.  

Mayor Adams: Thank you. Take care.  

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