As top New York Democrats began rushing to endorse Kamala Harris for president on Sunday, Mayor Eric Adams did not join the stampede.

“I have a great deal of respect for the vice president, but I think there’s a process in place and we’re going to allow that process to go through,” Adams told NY1’s Dean Meminger on Sunday after news President Joe Biden had dropped out of the race and endorsed Harris.   

Adams’ restraint came at a time when Harris was getting endorsement after endorsement from Democrats in New York, including State Attorney General Letitia James and Gov. Kathy Hochul. 

What You Need To Know

  • Mayor Eric Adams finally fell in line with the rest of New York’s democrats showing support for Kamala Harris to be the presidential candidate on Monday

  • Adams support came as he was slow to endorse Harris and instead criticizing the federal government's immigration policies

  • Adams has had a strained relationship with the White House amid the ongoing influx of migrants

In lieu of support, Adams criticized the federal government, calling for more help in dealing with the migrant crisis in New York. 

“I’ve been frustrated with the national leadership. Dealing with immigration reform is something that we have failed at for years, even prior to this administration. That was very clear. We needed one person, a czar, to deal with the influx of migrants that were coming to our country who were paroled in,” Adams said in an interview with CNN Sunday.

It’s not the first time Adams has been critical of the White House. For the last two years, more than 200,000 migrants have come to the city, with more than 60,000 in the city’s care. 

Adams has been outspoken about his frustration with a lack of aid from the White House on the issue. 

“‘Why are you doing this to New York?’ The national government has turned its back on New York City,” Adams said back in April 2023. 

At one point last Spring, Adams took direct aim at Harris who in 2021 was named point person on issues concerning immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border. 

“It is often stated that it’s the role of the VP. That’s too much in her portfolio to be focused on just doing that decompression strategy. If not, the decompression strategy can’t be New York City. That’s what we have basically, a witness,” Adams said back in March 2023.  

Despite the criticism, Adams seemed to be onboard by Monday with Harris as the presidential nominee. 

“I think that she is the voice that the party needs right now,” Adams said in an interview with MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” Monday. 

The Democratic National Convention is next month in Chicago and Adams is a superdelegate.