City of New York, NY

21/07/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 21/07/2024 23:34

Transcript: Mayor Adams Appears Live on NY1's 'News All Weekend

July 21, 2024

Dean Meminger: We have Mayor Eric Adams joining us now to talk about this breaking news. Let's go to Mayor Eric Adams. Mayor, thank you for joining me.
Mayor Eric Adams: Thank you. It's good to see you, Dean.
Meminger: All right, so let's start here. Your reaction, was this stunning to you or not that President Joe Biden announced today on a Sunday afternoon that he is no longer running?
Mayor Adams: I think it's just a continuation of the patriotism that this president has shown the country for so many years and how he loves America. Making tough decisions like this is really an indicator of how he believes the future of this country should supersede any personal desires we may have. I just have a great deal of respect for him. As I stated over and over again, as long as he was in, I was riding with Biden. I continue to respect that he made this tough decision.
Meminger: Do you think it will fracture the Democratic Party on the national stage that many people are looking at this as he was pretty much forced out?
Mayor Adams: Democracy is tough, it's challenging. This is our system that we're in. I believe he made the ultimate decision on what he believed was right for our country. Democracy is not frictionless, we know that. But we have the best product going. For over 400 years, we have been continuously showing how you have a smooth transition of power. We're going to see ourselves through this.
Meminger: Yes, well, sometimes smooth, right? We've had some hiccups, serious hiccups along the way. Now you mentioned, and this is a term we've heard from some national leaders, we're riding with Biden. Now Biden says he's supporting Kamala Harris. Are you riding with Harris now?
Mayor Adams: I'm a delegate, I'm sure you're aware of that. There's going to be a process now that we go to the convention and the delegates are going to come together. I'm going to allow the process to go through. 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. We're going to show a very clear message of what we want for our country and as we move forward.
Meminger: Okay, and a lot of people have said that as well, but they also have praised Kamala Harris, thinking she is a good candidate. Do you see positives in having Kamala Harris as the nominee, although you said there's a process to go through?
Mayor Adams: You knowwhat I'm so positive about? I'm positive that the Democratic Party is going to come together and figure out the next steps. In now way I want to complicate that. This is fresh for all of us, the announcement of the president and let's allow the process to go forward. I always say over and over again, this is all part of the process.
Meminger: All right, all a part of the process. Very quickly, if it's Kamala Harris or someone else, what's the message you want to send to the candidates about what New York City needs?
Mayor Adams: Oh, it's a clear one. I think that New Yorkers are no different than Americans. We need affordability, we need public safety. We need to carve out a very clear message for the future of our country. It's challenging for many New Yorkers and Americans. I think New York City is really a microcosm for our entire country. I'm looking for a very clear message of how we're going to navigate our country forward and make sure that this is an affordable place that we can raise healthy children and families.
Meminger: Now, immigration has been such a big issue in our city and there's been a little back and forth between you and President Biden. Kamala Harris was appointed to try to look at that immigration situation. What conversations will you be having with her or whoever the person that's nominated before the election, because we're still dealing with this right now, the immigration crisis in our city.
Mayor Adams: Secure the borders. We're clear on that. Let's come up with some creative ways. I've always stated that those we parole into the country, let's have them go throughout the entire country, particularly in places where populations are hurting and where there are needs of jobs. We need people to be employed here. I think we should quickly come up with ways of allowing people to work in this great country. That's dignity to have a job and to make sure those who are dangerous and have been committing serious crimes, they can be expeditiously removed after they serve their time.
Meminger: Last week, you along with several other elected officials spoke about unity when they're -, and it's really only a week ago - the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, you and others spoke about unity and bringing down the rhetoric, but we're already seeing some of that rhetoric returning as Kamala Harris is supported by Biden. What's your message to all of the candidates, no matter what side they're on moving forward? Because I could see this really heating up when it's time to debate.
Mayor Adams: Again, democracy is not frictionless. There's going to be debates, but I think that Councilman Borelli, the minority leader who happens to be a Republican, I think his message is something we all can borrow from. It's alright to be angry. Anger is a motivator. We should not hate because we still all wear the same jersey and that's USA. That is the jersey that we share in the intramurals that go between the game time, we should not allow it to get in the way of us winning for our country and the people of this country.
Meminger: Mayor Eric Adams, thank you for joining us here on New York 1 on a busy night.
Mayor Adams: Thank you, take care.
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