Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) said on Thursday that New Yorkers won’t accept “mass deportations,” even as Mayor Eric Adams (D) pledges to work with President Trump’s administration to enhance immigration enforcement.
In an interview on MSNBC, anchor Ana Cabrera noted Adams’s approach to immigration is a significant departure from de Blasio’s approach – noting the current mayor has said he opposes New York’s sanctuary city laws and has said he’s ready to work with the Trump administration.
“This is a 180 from when you were in office,” Cabrera said. “What do you make of it?”
“Look, I don’t happen to agree with what he’s saying, but I also think people in this city are not going to accept mass deportations,” de Blasio said. “So it’s one thing to say, ‘Oh, we’ll work with the new president because he was elected duly.’”
Cabrera asked whether de Blasio thinks “it’s personal” for Adams and whether “because of his situation, facing criminal prosecution, he’s trying to get on the good side of the president.”
“I think the simplest answer I can offer you is yes,” de Blasio responded, before they wrapped up the interview.
Adams was indicted on multiple federal charges, including bribery and wire fraud. He pleaded not guilty and has denied the allegations.
Adams has taken steps to make clear he is ready to work with the new administration. He met with Trump’s handpicked “border czar” in December and said at a press conference afterwards that the two men have the same immigration goals.
“His goal is the same goal I have,” Adams said during a press conference after the December meeting, which Adams requested. “We cannot allow dangerous individuals to commit repeated violent acts of violence in our cities across America.”
Adams said the city would protect the rights of immigrants who are “hard-working, giving back to the city in a real way,” but said, “This can’t be a safe haven for violent individuals.”
