In an effort to address politically controversial prosecutions, US President Donald Trump has moved to drop a case against New York Mayor Eric Adams.

Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove ordered federal prosecutors in the city on Monday to dismiss the corruption case against Adams, citing that the charges were filed after he criticized President Joe Biden’s immigration policy.

Bove referenced Trump’s executive order, “Ending the Weaponization of the Federal Government,” as a key factor in his directive to prosecutors.

Damian Williams, the Biden-appointed federal prosecutor who brought the charges against Adams, has resigned with the change in administration, and an acting prosecutor is now overseeing the office.

Williams was also the prosecutor behind the case against former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) officer Vikas Yadav and another Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, who were accused of plotting to assassinate Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Pannun.

Although Adams, a Democrat like Biden, has not switched parties, his criticism of Biden’s immigration policies strained their relationship. He has refrained from criticizing Trump and even met with him, receiving an invitation to his inauguration.

The primary corruption charge against Adams alleged that he pressured the fire department to certify a Turkish Consulate building in exchange for favors. However, at the time of the alleged incident, Adams was not yet mayor but held an official position in a borough unconnected to the building. Prosecutors also claimed he received an upgrade on a Turkish Airlines flight as a favor.

During his election campaign, Trump repeatedly accused the Biden administration and Democratic Party prosecutors of weaponizing the legal system against him and others. He expressed sympathy for Adams, viewing him as a fellow victim.

Following Biden’s decision to loosen border security, millions of illegal migrants entered the U.S., with over 210,000 arriving in New York, straining the city’s resources. Under local law, the city government was required to provide accommodation, leading to the takeover of hotels to house migrants. Adams estimated the crisis could cost New York as much as $6 billion.

As Adams prepared to lead a delegation of mayors to Washington to raise concerns about the migrant influx, federal officials raided his aide’s home, prompting him to cancel the trip and return to New York. Shortly after, Adams himself was prosecuted.