Eric Adams Faces Growing Scrutiny as His Challengers Highlight Leadership Failures in the Wake of Commissioner Caban’s Departure
New York City Police Commissioner Edward Caban resigned on Thursday following a federal investigation into allegations that his brother profited from influence trading within the NYPD by providing consulting services to nightclubs. Caban’s resignation comes just a week after federal agents raided the homes of several top city officials, including Caban, seizing phones and documents as part of their probe. While no one has been formally charged, the resignation has sparked immediate political backlash against Mayor Eric Adams, who is already facing an increasingly competitive Democratic primary ahead of the 2025 election.
Challengers React to Caban’s Resignation
Several of Mayor Adams’ political rivals were quick to connect Caban’s resignation to what they describe as broader mismanagement and instability within the Adams administration. New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, a candidate for mayor, stressed that changing leadership at the NYPD is not enough to address the city’s ongoing concerns.
“I wish interim commissioner Tom Donlon well,” Lander tweeted, “but unless this is accompanied by a series of real management reforms and public integrity safeguards — at NYPD and at City Hall — one personnel change alone will not solve the ongoing concerns of New Yorkers.”
Former Comptroller Scott Stringer, another prominent figure in the race, took a more pointed tone in his critique of Mayor Adams. In a statement, Stringer condemned the perceived chaos within City Hall, linking it directly to the leadership turnover at the NYPD.
“As a lifelong New Yorker who served for eight years as comptroller, I am very concerned today about the safety of the city’s residents,” said Stringer. “Mayor Adams’s rudderless and chaotic City Hall has caused dysfunction and a leadership vacuum at the NYPD. Now, Mayor Adams needs to explain why officials he has chosen to serve in his administration keep attracting the attention of federal prosecutors.”
State Senator Zellnor Myrie, who has launched an exploratory campaign for mayor, echoed the concerns, labeling Caban’s resignation “troubling” in a statement. Myrie emphasized the importance of strong, stable leadership within the police department, especially in times of heightened public safety concerns.
“At a time when strong, consistent leadership is essential, particularly within our police department, this latest departure only adds to the concerning pattern of instability within the Adams administration,” Myrie stated. “As our city’s housing shortage worsens and the cost of living rises, New Yorkers deserve steady, focused leadership from City Hall — rather than constant turnover and distractions.”
Ramos and Mamdani Raise Equity and Mismanagement Concerns
State Senator Jessica Ramos, another potential mayoral contender, commended Caban for stepping down but expressed concern over the circumstances surrounding his departure, especially as a high-ranking Latino official.
“I am concerned that one of the top-ranking Latinos seems to be the only one getting the pressure to remove himself from a seat of power,” Ramos said. She went on to question why other senior officials, such as Adams’ senior advisor Timothy Pearson, have not faced similar consequences. Pearson is under investigation for multiple allegations, including sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuits, as well as an inquiry by the city’s Department of Investigation.
“How many strikes does Mr. Pearson need before he gets pressure to resign?” Ramos asked, further underscoring the sense of unequal accountability within the Adams administration.
Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, another possible challenger, focused on systemic issues within the NYPD, arguing that merely replacing the commissioner will not address the underlying problems. Mamdani pointed to what he sees as Mayor Adams’ failure to deliver on his promises of both safety and justice for New Yorkers.
“As a candidate, Eric Adams promised he would ‘never ask New Yorkers to decide between the safety we need and the justice we deserve,’” Mamdani said in a statement. “Instead, Adams’ NYPD has surged illegal police stops, ballooned the overtime budget, paid out billions in settlements for misconduct, and treated the press as an official enemy.”
Mamdani framed Caban’s resignation as just one symptom of a deeper issue, concluding: “Eric Adams has stacked the leadership of the world’s largest police force with bullies and crooks. Another NYPD commissioner won’t fix this — only a new mayor can.”
Mayor Adams’ Next Move
Caban’s resignation, while significant on its own, also highlights the broader challenges facing Mayor Adams as he approaches his re-election bid. With mounting criticism from multiple corners, including challengers within his own party, the mayor is under growing pressure to not only replace key members of his administration but also to regain public trust in his leadership.
While interim Commissioner Tom Donlon has taken over the reins of the NYPD, the political firestorm surrounding Caban’s resignation is unlikely to dissipate anytime soon. Mayor Adams must now navigate these challenges while preparing for what is shaping up to be a fierce battle for the future of New York City’s leadership.
As the 2025 mayoral race accelerates, Adams’ challengers have seized on Caban’s resignation as further evidence of instability and dysfunction under his watch — concerns that are likely to dominate the coming months of the campaign.
