Holiday Ayo - Department of Justice ordered US federal prosecutors to drop the corruption case involving the Mayor of New York, Eric Adams. 

This order was given after Adams, who is a member of the Democratic Party, approached and established good relations with President Donald Trump. 

“You are directed, as authorized by the Attorney General, to dismiss the pending indictment in the case of United States v. Adams," said the US Department of Justice memo, obtained by the New York Times and CNN, as reported by AFP, Tuesday (11/2). 

Adams, who made history as the first New York City mayor to be criminally charged, insisted on pleading not guilty to the fraud and bribery charges against him.

He also rejected calls to resign that have been rife since last year. The shocking corruption scandal bodes ill for Adams' bid for re-election as mayor of New York last November.

In his defense, Adams maintained, without evidence, that he was punished because of his criticism of former President Joe Biden's immigration policies.

Trump, who is also facing a series of legal cases, expressed solidarity with Adams during the presidential campaign.

He even said Adams was put on trial "for speaking out against open borders."

The US Department of Justice's decision to drop Adams' case was well received. Adams' lawyer, Alex Spiro, emphasized that his client was innocent from the start. 

“As I said from the start, the Mayor is innocent and he will win. Today he will win," Spiro said in his response. 

“Despite much fanfare and sensational claims, ultimately there was no evidence to suggest he ever broke any laws. Now, thankfully, the Mayor and New York can put this extremely unfortunate and misguided prosecution behind us," he said. 

Adams, once touted as a potential Democratic Party star, has increased contact with Trump's Republican colleagues in recent weeks.