Mayor Eric Adams addressed New Yorkers on Wednesday following former President Donald Trump’s victory in the presidential election, urging unity while promising to fight for New Yorkers’ rights.  

Speaking from City Hall’s Blue Room, Adams called for a “peaceful transfer of power” in January.

“While our city will always respect the right to peaceful protest, there will be zero tolerance for actions that cross the line into crimes such as violence, vandalism, blocking traffic or disorderly behavior,” he said, adding that the NYPD, led by interim Commissioner Thomas Donlon, would “ensure that we uphold the law.”

Adams offered his congratulations to Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, saying City Hall would work with the incoming Trump administration “for the good of all New Yorkers.”

“We will collaborate with our mayors across this country to come up with a real agenda that could help cities across America, including making sure we continue to get support for our housing, infrastructure, education, health care, and more,” he said. “And I intend to defend and fight for our city’s values as part of the process.”

The mayor assured New Yorkers that the city would continue to protect the rights of women, immigrants and members of the LGBTQ+ community, while safeguarding both reproductive and gender-affirming care.

“In New York, women can be confident in that their reproductive rights are secure,” Adams said. “Our city remains committed to protecting and advancing women’s health care, including access to abortion care. No matter what happens across the country, abortion care will always be available in New York City for anyone who needs it.”

Adams said the city would also continue providing resources for asylum seekers and immigrants arriving in the five boroughs.

“To those immigrants who are living here pursuing the American dream, as so many generations did before you, New York City stands with you,” he said. “Our city will also continue to offer care, resources, and legal help to those who need it, regardless of immigration status. We will be here for you.”

Asked about the possibility of mass deportations under the incoming Trump administration, Adams deferred to Manuel Castro, the commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs.

For months on the campaign trail, Trump vowed to conduct the largest removal operation of undocumented immigrants in American history.

“I want to make sure that we’re taking a step back and not adding to the fear and anxiety that immigrant communities are already facing,” Castro said, echoing remarks he made late last month. “We need to really take stock of what is actually happening now, which is increased misinformation online, panic and fear setting in because of what people have heard.”

“I want to reassure people they do not need to self-deport. They do not need to hide, go in the shadows, and that they can continue to use our city services, especially emergency services, like our police department, our hospitals, and so on,” he added.

Adams, meanwhile, said the “law of this land in this city is the sanctuary city law, and we’re going to abide by that law.”

The mayor also promised the city would continue its infrastructure development and climate resiliency efforts, calling them “generational projects that we must move forward, no matter who is in the White House.”

In closing, Adams implored New Yorkers to remain engaged and united.

“As Americans, we must find a way to unite our country as we move forward,” he said. “I urge every New Yorker to stay engaged in our political process, make your voices heard, and keep your community strong.”