NEW YORK (RTW News) — Eric Adams, the mayor of New York City, is making the most of his remaining time in office by indulging in his passion for travel, despite facing scrutiny regarding his use of public funds for these trips. Bringing forth a long-held dream of exploring the world, Adams has recently journeyed to Albania, Israel, and Uzbekistan, evoking criticisms of 'mayoral senioritis' in light of ongoing federal investigations concerning his acceptance of travel benefits from foreign nationals.
As he concludes his term, Adams is also beginning to accept accolades, exemplified by his recent visit to New Orleans to receive an award from the Combat Antisemitism Movement, which he was also honored by in a gala held in Tel Aviv weeks earlier.
A spokesperson for Adams has not disclosed specific costs for these trips, although taxpayer funding generally covers expenses related to accommodations and security. Supporters, including deputy mayor Fabien Levy, argue that Adams is utilizing these international platforms to discuss innovations and job growth for New York City.
On the other hand, critics accuse Adams of neglecting his duties to chase personal ambitions while misusing municipal resources for extravagant travels. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams commented that Adams' focus on personal interests undermines the city's needs and has been 'hard to watch'. During interviews, Adams has cryptically acknowledged interest in overseas job opportunities, suggesting he sees possibilities for future engagements beyond the mayor's office.
Prior to his current tenure, the mayor often utilized his position as Brooklyn's borough president to promote international ties through 'sister city' agreements and has held multiple summits abroad addressing global issues. His recent trips also bear the weight of earlier controversies, which involved an indictment regarding travel compensation from Turkish officials, a case that stained his approval ratings but was eventually dropped. With just weeks remaining before a new mayor takes office, Adams continues to adventure abroad amidst the contentious atmosphere surrounding his departure from the official limelight.
