Adams’ public schedule said he’s in Palm Beach, Florida, where Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate is located.
His spokesperson, Fabien Levy, said the two will discuss “New Yorkers’ priorities.”
“The mayor looks forward to having a productive conversation with the incoming president on how we can move our city and country forward,” Levy posted on X.
Tomorrow, Mayor Adams will sit down with President-elect Trump and discuss New Yorkers’ priorities. The mayor looks forward to having a productive conversation with the incoming president on how we can move our city and country forward.
Adams previously said he wants to work with the incoming Trump administration, especially on immigration and border security after his city has struggled to address an influx of migrants.
The mayor’s office said last week that more than 229,000 migrants have arrived in New York City seeking city services since the spring of 2022.
DeSantis details proposals for Florida’s role in Trump’s immigration plan
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis outlined several proposals for how the state can support incoming President Donald Trump’s immigration plan, which includes mass deportations. The proposals come just a few days after DeSantis announced his intention to call a special session to address illegal immigration.
DeSantis proposed giving local and state law enforcement full authority to enforce immigration laws. It would include the power to arrest and detain immigrants who are in the country illegally. He also suggested appointing a state immigration officer to oversee coordination efforts with federal immigration authorities.
Additionally, the Florida governor recommended implementing a criminal penalty for anyone entering the state illegally. Currently, illegal entry into the United States is only a federal crime.
“We should do this so that we have an ability to hold them accountable in ways,” DeSantis said. “And my thing on this when people say, ‘Oh, well, deport the criminals.’ The problem with that is if somebody is here and they’re in a gang and they haven’t committed a crime yet, are you just supposed to sit there and wait until somebody is victimized? No, your illegal entry into our state was a crime. We get that on the books, and then we send you back home where you belong. So we need to do that.”
DeSantis expressed skepticism that Congress would pass immigration reform. He said it would be up to state leaders to proactively assist the federal government when Trump returns to the White House on Monday, Jan. 20.
However, some Florida state lawmakers have said they are not interested in a special session, complicating if and when the session will be held.
Meanwhile, other state leaders are either preparing to align with Trump’s immigration plan or outlining a defense against mass deportations.
Gov. Newsom convenes special session in California
California Gov. Gavin Newsom convened a “Trump-proofing” special session of the state legislature.
On Monday, Jan. 13, California State Sen. Scott Wiener announced amended legislation allocating $25 million for legal aid to those at risk of deportation. Lawmakers also proposed setting aside $25 million for state and local lawsuits against the Trump administration.
“Senate Democrats are particularly proud to provide funding for providers of legal aid services, which know our communities’ needs best and are best positioned to defend at scale the millions of individuals and families that will be impacted by the incoming administration’s extreme agenda,” Wiener said in a statement.
Idaho bill targets undocumented immigrants
In Idaho, lawmakers introduced a bill Tuesday, Jan. 14, that, if passed, would allow local law enforcement to arrest and charge migrants who are in the country illegally. ACLU officials have stated that they will challenge the legislation if it becomes law. They argue that it is unconstitutional and could lead to racial profiling.
Gov. Hochul, Mayor Adams address immigration in New York
In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul reaffirmed her commitment to protecting migrants working and living in the country for years. However, she stated that immigrants living in the country illegally who commit crimes should be deported.
“If someone breaks the law, I’ll be the first one to call up [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement] and say, ‘Get them out of here,’” Hochul said.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams echoed a similar sentiment. After meeting with Trump’s incoming “border czar,” Tom Homan, last month, Adams said they both want to get criminal migrants off the streets of New York.
“We’re going to protect the rights of immigrants in this city that are hard-working, giving back to this city in a real way,” Adams said at the time. “We’re not going to be a safe haven for those that commit repeated violent crimes against innocent migrants, immigrants and long-standing New Yorkers.”
Texas offers land for detention facilities
In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott’s administration has offered land to the Trump administration where it can build detention facilities and carry out its mass deportations.
Trump’s mass deportation plan
Homan, who Trump tapped to help facilitate the deportations, has said the federal government has a “zero tolerance” policy when it comes to unlawful migration. He also emphasized that sanctuary cities and states undermine the rule of law. Homan warned Democratic lawmakers in November “to get the hell out of the way” if they oppose Trump’s deportation plans.
Trump has stated that he plans to implement his mass deportation plan on his first day in office. The inauguration will take place Monday.
New York Gov. Hochul announces $77M plan to increase police on subways
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced a major effort to address crime on the city’s subway system following a number of high-profile, violent incidents. Hochul said her office is deploying double the NYPD officers to patrol train stations beginning Monday, Jan. 20.
“Last March, we had a big surge in crime. We started to see a decline in the fall, and then for some reason, there was a 46% increase in crime in the month of January,” Hochul said of the numbers in January 2023 and 2024.
The move comes in response to a series of violent incidents, including the murder of a woman who was set on fire while sleeping on a train at Coney Island station in December. Days later, a man allegedly stabbed two people at Grand Central Station in Manhattan.
Hochul already called in the National Guard to boost security on the subway after six people were fatally shot in February 2024.
“Go ahead and ask people, do they feel better when they see someone in uniform who can protect them in advance of someone trying to do harm to them, or certainly be there to help in the aftermath,” she said.
The governor emphasized that most violence in the subway system occurs during the overnight hours.
To combat the increased violence, Hochul outlined a $77 million, six-month initiative that will roll out a comprehensive five-step plan aimed at improving subway safety:
At least two NYPD officers will be assigned to each of the 150 overnight trains. An additional 750 officers will patrol subway platforms.
LED lighting will be installed at all stations to enhance visibility.
The city will implement stricter enforcement on fare evasion.
The plan also includes expanded outreach services to help address homelessness.
Provide mental health support, with a focus on getting individuals in need, off the subway system.
Hochul’s plan will prioritize the 30 stations that have been the site of half of all crimes in the transit system.
“The NYPD has 2,500 officers assigned to transit stations around the city,” Hochul said. “They’re not going anywhere; this is not taking people out who are already performing important protection services.”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has expressed his support for the initiative, calling it an important step to enhance safety in the subway system.
New York has already installed cameras in every subway car and put up barriers to prevent fare evasion, which has been a growing issue.
Eric Adams’ legal fund approaches $1M mark as donations dwindle
New York City Mayor Eric Adams‘ legal defense fund is approaching $1 million in the red as his legal bills pile up and donations dwindle. A new filing submitted with New York’s Conflict of Interest Board Wednesday, Jan. 15, said the trust he uses to cover legal fees in his federal corruption indictment now has $925,000 in outstanding bills, according to news outlet The City.
The trust’s surging debt comes amid a lack of fundraising in recent months. Likewise, according to the most recent reporting period—which spans mid-October through this week—Adams also paid Alex Spiro, the lead defense attorney in his corruption case, a $200,000 retainer fee.
During the same reporting period, Adams raised just $2,200.
Tzvi Odzer donated $2,000 of that. He’s a businessman convicted of bank fraud and was pardoned by then-President Donald Trump on his last day in office in 2021.
The rest of the money came from Alan Sclar, an attorney who previously donated to Adams’ reelection campaign.
The mayor was also forced to return $2,200 in donations. It was found that the money came from entities doing business with the city.
Adams’ legal fees will likely increase as he gets ready for trial in April. His trial is just weeks before the June Democratic mayoral primary.
When Adams reportedly had about $43,000 in debt in October, he insisted he wasn’t concerned about paying it.
“I have legal bills, and I’m going to pay my bills. That’s how I live my life. I will pay my bills,” Adams said at the time.
Adams pleaded not guilty to charges he accepted bribes and illegal straw donations for his 2021 and 2025 campaigns from Turkish government operatives in exchange for political favors.
Adams will travel to Mar-a-Lago for a meeting with the president-elect on Friday, Jan. 17, according to a statement from the mayor’s office released late Thursday.
In the statement, New York City Deputy Mayor for Communications Fabien Levy said that Adams “has made quite clear his willingness to work with President-elect Trump and his incoming administration on behalf of New Yorkers — and that partnership with the federal government is critical to New York City’s success.”
Adams has not commented on The City’s legal defense fund report.
Democratic New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ plan to house some 2,200 single migrant men at a shelter in the Bronx is drawing criticism from residents as well as Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y. Torres condemned the decision to place the shelter in a reportedly crime and drug-ridden area of the Bronx dubbed “The Hub.”
Torres told Fox News Digital on Wednesday, Jan. 15, “Instead of decisively dismantling open-air drug markets in ‘The Hub,’ the city is treating the South Bronx as a dumping ground for an endless stream of shelters.” Torres added, “We are treated as the second-class borough of New York City.”
“We here, we can’t even get funding for ourselves for housing, for jobs, and for everything else, but they’re going to get put into this one shelter,” Bronx resident, Serene Bilal, told the Post. “Are they going to get all these fundings that we’re not getting? Are these housings that we’re not getting? All these new affordable houses, I think, built out there in the Bronx. Are they for us or for them?”
Adams’ office responded to Torres’ criticism, noting that despite the new shelter opening, the city plans to close 46 migrant shelters across New York City.
A spokesperson for Adams said the South Bronx shelter is temporary, but could not specify the length of time it would be used for migrant housing. She said that will be dependent on the next migrant census taken by the city.
The move comes as the number of migrants traveling to New York City is reportedly decreasing, and the number of asylum-seekers being housed in the Big Apple is at its lowest level in 18 months.
Adams said the shuttering of migrant shelters is meant to “save taxpayer money” and “turn the page on this unprecedented humanitarian crisis.”
However, many in the Bronx are wondering why the city chose the impoverished neighborhood as a location for the new shelter. Mayor Adams’ office contends it is looking at migrant housing through a “holistic lens,” not by individual community.
Costs to renovate the former office building where the shelter will be located may reportedly reach up to $340,000.
New poll shows Andrew Cuomo could be poised for a political comeback
A new poll shows former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo could be poised for a political comeback if he chooses to challenge Mayor Eric Adams in the Democratic primary to be the next mayor of New York City. Politico obtained the poll from Progressives for Democracy that showed Cuomo as the favorite to win, if he runs, with support from 32% of likely Democratic voters.
Following him were former city comptroller Scott Stringer at 10%, his successor Brad Lander at 8%, State Sen. Jessica Ramos at 7%, and Adams and state Assembly member Zohran Mamdani, who were both at 6%.
Adams has been under scrutiny, as he faces five federal counts of bribery, corruption, wire fraud and accepting donations from foreign nationals, leading to multiple members of his administration resigning.
As for Cuomo, he resigned as governor in 2021 after a series of scandals. They included allegations of sexual harassment from 11 women, including former and current staffers, which were detailed in a report from New York Attorney General Letitia James’ office.
He also faced criticism for his management of the COVID-19 pandemic, which centered on his controversial March 2020 directive that required nursing homes to accept COVID-positive patients, potentially leading to an increased spread of the virus among elderly residents.
The scandal worsened when it was revealed that the Cuomo administration had underreported the true number of nursing home deaths, prompting accusations of a cover-up.
The new numbers are the second recent poll to show wide support for Cuomo. A New York Times and Siena College poll from October 2024 showed him with 21% support.
Cuomo has not officially announced his candidacy for New York City mayor.
Gov. Kathy Hochul aims to change involuntary commitment law in NY
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is calling for an expansion of involuntary mental health commitments in 2025, a decision she says was driven by the recent wave of violent subway attacks. Hochul plans to use her executive budget to address the lack of mental health resources available to New Yorkers in crisis.
This week, someone pushed a man onto subway tracks. And last month, a woman died after someone set her on fire aboard a Coney Island train. Hochul said these incidents involved individuals struggling with serious mental illness who had failed to get treatment.
“We need to ensure that those suffering from severe mental illness are getting the care they need,” Hochul said in a recent announcement.
Under current New York law, hospitals can involuntarily hold a person believed to be a danger to themselves or others. Once admitted, two doctors must evaluate the person and determine if they pose a threat, allowing doctors to hold them for up to 60 days.
Police officers and other healthcare professionals can also have individuals committed for treatment.
Hochul’s proposal aims to use $1 billion to improve care and expand current laws. It also includes Kendra’s Law, which mandates court-ordered outpatient care for individuals with mental illnesses.
In her announcement, Hochul acknowledged past setbacks. She noted that the legislature had rejected her previous efforts to expand access to mental health resources.
“It is my sincere hope that everyone in the legislature is paying attention to what is unfolding in our city and state,” she said.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams supports Hochul’s proposal, saying it responds to the city’s need for enhanced psychiatric care. Similar to Hochul, Adams also pointed to the city’s homeless population. He said many of them lack basic needs and end up making choices that contribute to violent incidents.
However, the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) has criticized Hochul’s plan. They argued that involuntary commitments fail to address more systemic issues.
“The current system fails those subject to involuntary commitment. They are bounced from one under-resourced facility after another before returning to the street,” said NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman.
A New York City council member also expressed concern, saying that the real issue isn’t the law but its lack of enforcement in many cases.
Lawmakers say they are open to new legislation. Still, they emphasized the need for a carefully crafted bill that protects public safety while addressing mental health needs.
Guardian Angels returning to patrol NYC subways after woman’s murder
The volunteer vigilante group known as the Guardian Angels is returning to the New York City subway system. The move comes in the wake of a woman’s death after she was lit on fire days before Christmas.
Founder Curtis Sliwa told the New York Post on Sunday, Dec. 29, since the woman’s murder, “hundreds of citizens” have asked to join the ranks of the Guardian Angels.
He said the squad is planning to increase its ranks. It aims to reach levels not seen since 1979. At that time, the Guardian Angels grew from just 13 members to 1,000 members.
Now, the Guardian Angels has around 150 members.
The Guardian Angels plans to focus on performing wellness checks on homeless individuals and people with mental health issues. The group will give water to people in need and report any problems to New York City Police.
“We’ll obviously make sure that that train is stopped and that the police respond and that we keep order in the car, so that nobody gets hurt, including the emotionally disturbed person or the homeless person,” Sliwa told the New York Post.
The Guardian Angels reportedly last patrolled the subway cars in New York City during 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, members of the Asian community were experiencing targeted attacks.
The woman set on fire last week remains unidentified. Police say a man they’ve identified as Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, who is from Guatemala and was living illegally in New York, committed the act. They said he lit her on fire while she slept in a subway car.
Some bystanders filmed the woman while she burned alive but no one got involved.
Sliwa said the lack of action from bystanders during the incident is one of the factors motivating the Guardian Angels to make a return.
Sliwa blames citizen inaction on the so-called “Daniel Penny Effect.”
“Unfortunately, the ‘Daniel Penny Effect’ has frozen them,” Sliwa told the New York Post. “They’re not going to get involved. I’ve seen grown men who normally might have gotten involved. They’re just not getting involved any longer.”
Sliwa claims another issue is the lack of law enforcement patrolling the subway.
A representative for New York City Mayor Eric Adams struck back at Sliwa’s remarks.
The spokesperson called Sliwa’s announced plans “meaningless stunts” and said the city “remains focused on real solutions.”
The mayor’s office notes that New York City is deploying “1,000 police officers per day to subways.” However, the office acknowledged that even with these steps, “there’s still more work to be done.”
Earlier this year, New York authorities investigated a confrontation between the group and a man. The Guardian Angels wrongly accused him of illegally living in the country. The group said he was caught shoplifting during a live interview.
It later turned out the man roughed up by the Guardian Angels was from the Bronx. There was no evidence to support allegations of shoplifting.
Government shutdown looms as House votes against latest funding bill
A government shutdown looms nearer after the House rejected a bill that would have kept it funded into March. And drones are now banned in parts of New York and New Jersey after a spate of mysterious sightings. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Dec. 20, 2024.
House votes against latest stopgap bill aimed to avoid government shutdown
The House rejected a stopgap bill Thursday, Dec. 19, that would have kept the government running. The vote came ahead of a potential shutdown starting at midnight Saturday, Dec. 21, when lawmakers head home for the holidays.
The bill fell short of the needed two-thirds majority to speed up its passage. More than three dozen Republicans joined 197 Democrats in voting against it. Republicans split with each other on how the bill handles government spending.
“Three hundred and thirty billion dollars. Congratulations. You’ve added to the debt since you were given the majority again on Nov. 5,” Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, said.
Roy voted against the bill.
He added, “It’s embarrassing. It’s shameful. Yes, I think this bill is better than it was yesterday in certain respects. But to take this bill, to take this bill yesterday and congratulate yourself because it’s shorter in pages but increases the debt by $5 trillion, is asinine.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., said on the House floor, “The deal on the table will keep the government open for the American people and if you guys so choose to shut it down, it will be on you but not the Republican Party.”
She added, “We will not be going back to the table. This deal stands as it is. So let you go back home on Christmas and explain to your people why you shut down the government because we won’t be doing it.”
The latest spending bill, known as a continuing resolution, is a quickly amended bill tailored to the liking of President-elect Donald Trump and his top ally Elon Musk.
Musk postedrepeatedlyonX condemning the original bill. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., worked on it with bipartisan support from Republicans and Democrats.
However, when both Musk and Trump opposed the bill, that guaranteed most House Republicans would vote against it and forced Johnson to craft a new bill.
Now, there are two conflicting interests. Musk wants major government spending cuts, and while Trump agrees, he also wants to permanently suspend the debt ceiling.
The new plan lifts the debt limit, leading Trump to support the bill in a Truth Social post.
“Now we can Make America Great Again, very quickly, which is what the People gave us a mandate to accomplish,” Trump posted.
But Democrats attacked the bill over what spending Republicans chose to cut.
“The Musk-Johnson proposal is not serious, it’s laughable,” said House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. “Extreme MAGA Republicans are driving us to a government shutdown.”
The bill removed funding for a bipartisan program for pediatric cancer research, studying genetic conditions like Down syndrome and treatment options for sickle cell disease as well as cancers.
It will be on Johnson to craft a bill to secure votes from the majority of the House.
However, Johnson may not have the political leeway to rely on support from Democrats. He’ll need nearly every returning member of the House Republican caucus to vote for him next month to remain speaker.
The new Congress takes office in the new year.
New details of accused UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter’s plan emerge
Newly unsealed court documents put into perspective what led up to the deadly shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. A federal complaint shed light on 26-year-old Luigi Mangione’s “hostility toward the health insurance industry and wealthy executives in particular.”
In a notebook found on Mangione when he was arrested, he allegedly wrote of his plans to “wack” an insurance company CEO at its investor conference. Federal prosecutors said he traveled from Georgia to New York to stalk and kill Thompson.
Magione appeared in a New York courtroom Thursday, and four new federal charges were levied against him. The charges included murder with a firearm, which is an offense punishable by the death penalty.
The hearing followed Mangione’s extradition from Pennsylvania, where police arrested him on Dec. 9, to New York.
Armed guards surrounded Mangione as NYPD officers walked him off a helicopter upon his arrival in Manhattan. New York City Mayor Eric Adams joined the walk.
“Police Commissioner [Jessica] Tisch and I all want to send a very clear and loud message that this act of terrorism and the violence that stems from it is something that will not be tolerated in this city,” Adams told the press at the site of the helicopter arrival.
Mangione already faces state-level charges in New York. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg brought charges against him Tuesday, Dec. 17, including for murder as an act of terrorism.
However, Mangione also received a hero’s welcome from protesters outside the courthouse. Thompson’s killing sparked backlash against the health insurance industry and its coverage policies.
While judges have not set any dates yet, Mangione will face state-level charges first. A federal trial will follow.
New York abolished the death penalty, meaning it’s not an option for Mangione in the state-level case. However, the death penalty can still be exercised in the federal case.
FAA temporarily bans drones in parts of New York and New Jersey
Drones are now banned in parts of New York and New Jersey — at least for the time being. It comes amid an investigation into multiple mysterious sightings over the last month that set off fear and speculation.
In a statement, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the Federal Aviation Administration’s bans are “purely precautionary.” Meanwhile, the FAA’s restrictions in New Jersey are largely aimed at limiting drone flights over power stations and infrastructure.
The FAA implemented emergency flight restrictions across New Jersey, prohibiting drone operations until Jan. 17, 2025, for “special security reasons.” Unless operators obtain special government clearance, the directive bans uncrewed aircraft within a one-nautical-mile radius of designated areas and up to 400 feet in altitude.
The FAA designated areas such as Camden, Jersey City, Elizabeth and South Brunswick as “National Defense Airspace.”
Violators may face severe penalties, including interception, detention, certificate revocation and potential criminal charges. In extreme cases, authorities are authorized to use “deadly force” against drones posing an “imminent security threat.”
These restrictions follow a surge in unexplained drone sightings across New Jersey and nearby states that began in mid-November. Federal agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Defense (DOD), received over 5,000 reports of drone activity.
Dow Jones snaps worst losing streak in 50 years
The Dow Jones Industrial Average snapped its worst losing streak in 50 years Thursday. The losing streak lasted 10 days.
During the losing streak, the market wiped out all of its post-election gains. The Dow ended Wednesday down 2.5% from when Trump won the election.
Also on Wednesday, Wall Street’s fear gauge, the CBOE Volatility Index, had its second-biggest percentage spike in history. The VIX shot up 74% after the Federal Reserve shared its outlook for the coming year.
On Wednesday, the Fed cut its benchmark interest rate for a third time in 2024, which was widely predicted.
Feeling the holiday blues?
The holidays are often called “the most wonderful time of the year,” but the season can bring about sadness and stress for many. This -emotional shift, commonly known as the “holiday blues” or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), can affect millions of people across the country.
Licensed adult psychiatrist Dr. Patrice Mann said the holiday blues are due to several factors. They include social pressures, disruptive routines and financial strain.
“Things like having a bunch of holiday events on the calendar, not to say we don’t look forward to them oftentimes, but they take a toll on us,” says Dr. Mann. “You’re up late, interacting with a lot of people, and that’s not everyone’s nature.”
Grief and seasonal depression can also complicate these feelings. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, seasonal depression affects millions of Americans every year, but many may not even realize they have it.
Symptoms of holiday blues and seasonal depression can include a persistent low mood, loss of interest in activities and changes in eating or sleeping habits. If these symptoms last more than two weeks, Dr. Mann said it could indicate a more serious depressive episode. In such cases, seeking professional help is important.
Dr. Mann recommended several self-care strategies to help manage both the holiday blues and seasonal depression. She suggested getting tested for vitamin D deficiency and taking supplements during winter. Vitamin D plays a vital role in mood and energy levels.
She also advised getting as much sunlight as possible during the shorter winter days. Light therapy boxes can mimic outdoor sunlight if natural sunlight isn’t available. Using them for 20 to 30 minutes in the morning can help trick the brain and improve mood.
For those experiencing grief during the holidays, Dr. Mann encouraged reflecting on personal needs and communicating with trusted friends or family members. She also recommended incorporating new social activities into your routine and checking in with yourself after attending events.
For those supporting others through grief, it’s important to recognize that everyone processes emotions differently. Dr. Mann suggested engaging in activities with those less open about mental health, such as cooking or playing games, to help create a comfortable environment for them to express themselves.
While the holiday season brings unique challenges, small steps can make a big difference. Prioritizing self-care, maintaining routines and reaching out for support are important practices to help manage holiday stress.
If you or someone you know is struggling, remember that professional help is available. The National Suicide Hotline is available 24 hours a day by calling 988.
Police transfer UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect to NY federal prison
Law enforcement officials extradited Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, to New York on Thursday, Dec. 19. There, Mangione listened as a judge read out four federal charges against him, including murder with a firearm, an offense punishable by the death penalty.
The hearing followed Mangione’s move from Pennsylvania, where police arrested him on Dec. 9, to New York.
Armed guards surrounded Mangione as NYPD officers walked him off a helicopter upon his arrival in Manhattan. New York City Mayor Eric Adams joined the walk.
“Police Commissioner [Jessica] Tisch and I all want to send a very clear and loud message that this act of terrorism and the violence that stems from it is something that will not be tolerated in this city,” Adams told the press at the site of the helicopter arrival.
Mangione already faces state-level charges in New York. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg brought charges Tuesday, Dec. 17, against him, including for murder as an act of terrorism.
But Mangione also received a hero’s welcome from some protesters outside the federal courthouse, as the killing of the 50-year-old Thompson sparked backlash against the health insurance industry and its coverage policies.
While judges have not set any dates yet, Mangione will face state-level charges first. A federal trial will follow.
New York abolished the death penalty, meaning it’s not an option for Mangione in the state-level case. However, the death penalty can still be exercised in the federal case.
