"And the mayor is not about abandoning your obligation or responsibility just because there's someone incoming. I have a job to finish," Adams said.
Knowing Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is a longstanding critic of Israel, Adams signed an executive order that forbids the city from discriminating against Israel or its citizens. It also prohibits city pension funds from boycotting, sanctioning or divesting of Israeli interests.
A second order directs the NYPD to regulate protest activity outside houses of worship.
"Now, if the incoming administration wants to reverse them, that is on their watch. But on my watch, houses of worship are sacred locations."
One month ago, the mayor added millions to the budget to hire 5,000 additional police officers. Mamdani, on the other hand, says the city has enough officers.
Adams' decision would effectively force Mamdani to defund the NYPD when he takes office.
"The mayor is free to issue as many executive orders as he'd like with the less than 30 days that he has in office. And then we will be taking a look at every single one once we actually enter into City Hall," Mamdani said.
The orders come after Loews Corporation CEO Benjamin Tisch, brother of the police commissioner, reportedly called Mamdani an enemy of the Jewish people at a private function.
Mamdani said NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch addressed the comments with his team.
"The commissioner apologized to my team for those remarks, and I look forward to being a mayor for each and every New Yorker, including Jewish New Yorkers."
Commissioner Tisch later issued her own statement.
"I understand the fear in the Jewish community," Tisch said. "My sincere belief is that the mayor-elect will live up to the commitment he's made to be a mayor for all New Yorkers, including the Jewish community."
In an interview with The New York Times, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested he may come to New York City while Mamdani is mayor, despite Mamdani's threats to have him arrested.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul told the press on Monday that the mayor of New York City does not have that authority.
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