For the first time, City Hall Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg told the media not to ask the mayor questions about his role in Kamala Harris' campaign at his weekly question-and-answer session. 

What You Need To Know

  • City Hall Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg gave reporters a "reminder" to be mindful of their political questions during this week's off topic briefing

  • Zornberg brought up the issue after she said a broad question was asked about the mayor's role in the presidential campaign

  • Mayor Eric Adams is expected to head to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Wednesday and stay through Thursday 

“A respectful reminder, there was a question put to the mayor asking about what his specific role will be on a campaign. That’s not an appropriate question to ask during a city event," she said Tuesday. 

Zornberg explained that, according to the city's Conflicts of Interest Board, political questions pose a conflict for Adams in his official capacity as mayor. 

“It is my view advised by the COIB that that should not be the type of question that is asked in the blue room at City Hall at a press conference to talk about city issues," she said.

In a statement to NY1 later, Zornberg pointed to a conflicts-of-interest rule that prohibits city time and resources from being used for campaign activities. 

“We don’t make these rules. We don’t agree with all of them, but if the COIB gives us something, we have to adhere to what they give us,” Adams said. 

The weekly off topic press conferences were instituted nearly a year ago by the Adams administration, which, at times, has had a rocky relationship with the media. 

“The press may continue, however, to ask whatever questions it wishes at off-topics conferences and we will do our best to answer what is permissible, mindful of the limitations. We are in regular consultation with the COIB staff to navigate such issues to ensure we are both responsive to the press and complying with the law,” Zornberg said later in a statement to NY1. 

Tuesday’s briefing included numerous questions on the Democratic National Convention. Adams is expected to attend the event on Wednesday and Thursday. 

The mayor doesn’t have a speaking role, but he said he is fully supportive of the Harris-Walz campaign.

Adams said he has plans to mobilize voters in the city. 

“I’ve said over and over again. I’m a soldier and when you’re a soldier, you take your assignment and you carry it out. I’m not on an ego trip that I have to have this role or that role," he said. “We’re going to be zero-focused on Black men and really encourage them. We’re going to do everything from barbershop talks...I’m doing one today.”

Adams said that while in Chicago, the issues he will be focused on will be public safety and affordability.