The Brian Lehrer Show Mayor Adams' Legacy
Dec 3, 2025
Elizabeth Kim, a political reporter, shares insights on Mayor Adams’ term, highlighting his focus on public safety stemming from crime fears. Jeffery Mays discusses the mayor's navigation of pandemic challenges and the city's reopening. Ben Max analyzes Adams' policy moves, including literacy reforms and housing initiatives. The discussion also centers on the ongoing migrant crisis, examining its impact on the administration's image and operations. The guests unravel public perception, mixed successes, and the complexities of Adams' legacy in New York City.
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Expanded Earned Income Tax Credit
- Adams pushed to expand the city's Earned Income Tax Credit and won Albany approval to more than double funding.
- The program delivered roughly $345 million to qualified low-income New Yorkers via outreach and tax-filing help.
Race Framing Cut Two Ways
- Adams consciously positioned himself in David Dinkins' lineage to claim a racial-political mantle and defend his coverage.
- But comparisons backfired as corruption probes and indictments undermined that narrative.
Using Race To Deflect Scrutiny
- Adams repeatedly accused a mostly white press corps of biased coverage and used race to put reporters on the defensive.
- That tactic often blunted tougher scrutiny and shaped media interactions throughout his term.