Eric Adams went to Mar-a-Lago to meet with Trump

New York City Mayor Eric Adams will fly to Florida on Thursday evening to meet with President-elect Donald J. Trump at Mar-a-Lago, his spokesman confirmed.

The meeting was not on Mr. Adams’ schedule.

“Mayor Adams has made clear her commitment to working with President-elect Trump and his administration on behalf of New Yorkers — and that working with the federal government is critical to success of the city of New York,” said Fabien Levy, the mayor’s spokesman. by email.

Mr. Adams, a Democrat, drew criticism from members of his own party for appearing happy with Mr. Trump. And while Mr. Adams has expressed his desire to work with the incoming administration, critics have suggested that his enthusiasm for the president-elect masks other motives.

In September, Mr. Adams was indicted on five federal corruption charges, part of an investigation into what he says was political retaliation for his criticism of President Biden’s immigration policy. Mr. Trump has publicly sympathized with Mr. Adams and bolstered his image of a troubled Justice Department. Mr. Adams expressed openness to the idea of ​​receiving a presidential pardon.

Mr. Levy, in his statement, said that Mayor Adams and Mr. Trump will discuss the “priorities of New Yorkers” when they meet on Friday. “The mayor is looking forward to having a productive conversation with the next president about how to develop our city and our country,” wrote Mr. Levy.

For months, Mr. Adams has been warm to the incoming president.

In the run-up to the November election, his apparent reluctance to criticize Mr. Trump and opposition to naming Kamala Harris as his presidential choice have raised questions about who he will choose. On election day, he told reporters he intended to vote for Ms. Harris.

Since Mr. Trump’s victory, Mr. Adams has repeatedly said he wants to work with the president-elect, not fight him. In December, he met with Mr. Trump’s incoming “border czar,” Thomas D. Homan, and said they shared a “desire” to pursue undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes in the U.S. – city. Mr. Homan, who played a key role in Mr. Trump’s family separation policy in his first term, went on the television show “Dr. Phil” and praise the mayor.

At a charity event in September, Mr Trump said he felt a connection with Mr Adams.

“We’ve been persecuted, Eric,” Mr. Trump said at the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner. “I was persecuted, and so were you, Eric.”

At a news conference three months later, Mr. Trump said he would consider pardoning Mr. Adams.

William K. Rashbaum contributed to the report.