Here’s what stands between NYC Mayor Eric Adams and a second term — as he faces make-or-break year

During his successful 2021 campaign for mayor, Eric Adams famously declared himself the “future of the Democratic Party.”

But heading into 2025, that future is in doubt.

It will be a make-or-break year both politically and personally for the indicted Adams, who faces bombshell federal corruption charges and a tough re-election bid.

Adams’ approval ratings sunk to a staggering 26% last month with 69% of New Yorkers saying he should resign – and 80% of fellow Democrats thinking he shouldn’t run for a second term in 2025, according a Marist Poll.

But some aren’t counting out the former cop just yet.

“New Yorkers really care about strengthening our economy, lowering crime and having a more livable city, and Mayor Adams has delivered major wins on all those fronts,” said Brooklyn Democratic Party Boss Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn.

Here’s a look at some of the challenges Hizzoner faces in 2025:

Federal Corruption Trial

Adams in September became the first sitting mayor in NYC’s history to be charged with federal crimes, indicted for allegedly taking bribes and illegal campaign contributions from foreign sources.

He pled not guilty, vowed to remain in office, and is scheduled to stand trial in April.

Crowded Dem field

The centrist mayor faces a tough primary in June with a number of prominent leftist Dems, including Comptroller Brad Lander, former Comptroller Scott Stringer, Queens Sen. Jessica Ramos and Brooklyn Sen. Zellnor Myrie.

Hs biggest challenge could come from former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a fellow centrist who resigned in 2021 in the wake of a sexual misconduct scandal but is mounting a political comeback.

NYC’s migrant crisis

The Adams administration has been stretched thin by more than 226,900 illegal immigrants and other border crossers arriving in the Big Apple since April 2022, with a vast majority of them seeking immediate shelter.

As of mid-December, the city’s migrant-crisis tab reached $6.5 billion as workloads – including overtime costs – soared at various city agencies.

Adams has tried to ease some of the burden by enforcing 60- and 30-day shelter-stay limits for families and adults, causing the number of migrants staying in taxpayer-funded city shelters to drop from over 65,000 a year ago to 53,800 as of Dec. 15.

However, the issue remains a daunting one for him heading into 2025, even with President-elect Donald Trump expected to crack down on criminal migrants — including over 58,000 living in NYC.

NYC’s homeless crisis

There were over 112,700 people living in taxpayer-funded shelters as of Dec. 15, spurred by the ongoing influx of migrants. 

This doesn’t include the more than 4,100 homeless people living unsheltered in the streets and crime-ridden subways — the city’s highest number of unsheltered homeless people in nearly two decades.

The City Council earlier this month passed Adams’ controversial and ambitious “City of Yes” plan to help address the affordability crisis by building 80,000 new housing units over the next 15 years.

However, there’s no immediate relief in sight. The city is currently contracted with over 150 hotels that have been converted to homeless shelters serving migrants instead of serving tourism.

City Council conflicts

Adams and the Council’s far-left majority have been at odds since he took office and members snubbed his pick for Council speaker.

Since then, it’s been a tug-of-war for political power involving vetoes, overrides and dueling bids to put changes to the City Charter.

Meanwhile, Adams and the Council will be duking it out in court in 2025.

The Council earlier this month slapped Adams with a lawsuit alleging the mayor abused his powers by issuing an executive order flouting a controversial solitary confinement ban in city jails.

President Trump

The foundation is set for a good working relationship between Trump and Adams, even though Adams will continue to be pressured by Dems and lefty media outlets to shun the Republican.

Adams in recent weeks has taken a tougher stance on the city’s sanctuary status, in line with Trump’s goals of deporting criminal migrants.

And Hizzoner – who has not ruled switching back to the Republican Party — might need Trump’s help if he’s convicted on the pending corruption charges. Earlier this month, Trump said he would consider pardoning Adams, if necessary, because “he was treated pretty unfairly.”

Gov. Hochul

Hochul has the power under a seldom-used state law to remove any mayor in the state from office.

The governor has so far declined to oust the embattled Adams – in part because it would alienate prominent black leaders who’ve rallied behind him and because Cuomo, her political rival and former boss, is ready to jump into the mayor’s race.

But that hasn’t stopped Hochul from pressuring Adams from behind the scenes to clean house if he wants to keep his job. Several City Hall officials touched by churning federal investigations have either resigned or been forced out since Adams’ indictment — an exodus driven by Hochul, sources told The Post in October.

Cleaning up the NYPD

Overall crime has dropped under Adams, but the Police Department’s reputation has been gutted by a series of scandals.

Just last week, NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey, a close friend of Adams, abruptly resigned after The Post uncovered explosive allegations that he demanded sexual favors from a subordinate in exchange for massive amounts of overtime.

Rikers Island

The city’s violence-plagued jail system on Rikers Island is in serious jeopardy of being put under a federal court’s control – despite objections from the Adams administration.

Adams remains far behind in implementing a mandated plan he inherited to shutter Rikers by August 2027 and replace it with four smaller, more humane lockups in each borough but Staten Island.