Mayor Eric Adams vows to fight for rights of New Yorkers after Trump election victory
NEW YORK (WABC) -- Mayor Eric Adams delivered remarks on Wednesday and vowed that New York City will continue to protect the rights of women, immigrants and millions of other New Yorkers.
Alongside senior administration officials, Adams held a City Hall briefing to discuss the impact of Donald Trump's victory in the presidential election.
"I want to congratulate President Elect Trump and Vice President Elect JD Vance, and wish them all the best as they work to promote the interests of the American people," Adams said.
The mayor added that although people have the right to peacefully protest, the city will not tolerate any demonstrations that crosses the line into violence and vandalism.
Adams vowed to work with the new administration, but a second Trump presidency poses risks. The city relies on $8 billion a year in federal aid-for everything from schools and social services to infrastructure and healthcare.
"This city will always stand up for the rights of women, immigrant brothers and sisters, our LGBTQ plus community, and millions of others in New York. Women can be confident that their reproductive rights are secure," Adams said.
Trump has promised "mass deportations" and the mayor sidestepped questions about that. But fear is already spreading.
"I want to reassure people that they do not to need to self-report, they do not need to hide, go in the shadows, and that they can continue to use our city services, especially emergency services," said Commissioner Manuel Castro with the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs.
The Immigration Coalition is ready to go to court, saying: "Together, we will fight the fascist President-elect and his racist deportation agenda every step of the way..."
Trump could put an end to congestion pricing-and the billions of dollars in funding for the MTA that would come with it. In his last term, he cut funding to build new Hudson River rail tunnels and some worry he could do that again.
It may come down to whether Trump is feeling vindictive. In recent weeks, Mayor Adams steered clear of criticizing Trump, which might have been wise.
"President Trump won his election by a large margin, really, in terms of what we were expecting and did much better in New York City than he did against either Biden or Hillary Clinton," said CEO of Partnership for New York City Kathryn Wylde. "I'm not sure that he's going to feel so much revenge and punishment."
Check for the latest election updates across the Tri-State area.
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