Weissmann Claims Trump Withheld Pardon to Keep NYC Mayor Eric Adams “On a Choke Collar”

Former federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann has suggested that President Donald Trump deliberately withheld a pardon for New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) in his corruption case to maintain leverage over him. During an interview on MSNBC’s Inside with Jen Psaki, Weissmann explained why Trump, despite pardoning many allies and political figures, chose not to extend the same courtesy to Adams.

“One of the things that’s also been striking to me, and I know to you, because I’ve heard you talk about it, is that he still left the possibility open that these charges could still be filed again in the future,” Psaki said, referring to acting U.S. Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, who has gained attention for his sweeping firings within the Justice Department.

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She continued, “And it’s important to remind people, because it feels like three weeks has been a year, that Trump had pardoned a lot of people. He could have pardoned Eric Adams, right? But he chose not to. How have you thought about that?”

Weissmann argued that the decision was a calculated move. “Well, there’s only one explanation. I mean, you know, Bove has his story about how the case was brought too close to the primary. That’s just an absurd argument, and Federal Judge [Dale] Ho can hear from him.”

He elaborated on the possible motivations behind Trump’s refusal to clear Adams. “What’s really going on is, they don’t want Eric Adams just on a tight leash; they want him on a choke collar. And you saw on [Fox News] TV it working. And not only did Eric Adams say, I’m sort of conceding and giving New York City over to ICE agents to do these kinds of arrests in the city.”

Weissmann also pointed out the legal complications surrounding Adams’ decision to allow ICE agents greater leeway in the city. “But, I want to make sure people understand that it is against local law. So you have a mayor of the city of New York who is under indictment. He is out on bail saying, ‘I am going to permit the ICE agents, and with my blessing, to violate local law.’

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He has no authority to do that so the whole thing really stinks to high heaven, to put a fine point on it,” he said. The discussion comes as Adams, who remains entangled in legal troubles, faces increasing political and public scrutiny. His recent concessions regarding federal immigration enforcement have raised questions about whether his legal troubles are influencing his policy decisions.

Weissmann’s assertion that Trump is using the unresolved case as a tool to control Adams underscores broader concerns about political influence over the justice system. As Adams fights to maintain his position while under indictment, his actions—and Trump’s lingering influence—continue to fuel debate.

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