Following Thursday’s unsealed indictment, New York City Mayor Eric Adams joins a handful of other Democrats indicted by the Biden administration’s Department of Justice.
Under President Joe Biden, the DOJ has issued two federal indictments against former President Donald Trump—one for mishandling classified documents and another for alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election—but it has also pursued Democrats, most notably the president’s son, Hunter Biden.
Last November, Trump said in a Noticias Univision interview that the DOJ “has allowed the next party, if I happen to be president, and I see someone doing well and beating me very badly, I say go down and indict them…they’d be out of the election.” He has repeatedly called the indictments against him part of a political witch hunt.
Democrats indicted by the Biden administration’s DOJ:
New York City Mayor Eric Adams speaks outside Gracie Mansion on September 26. Adams was indicted by the DOJ on charges including wire fraud and bribery.
AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura
New York City Mayor Eric Adams
On Thursday, the 57-page indictment against Adams was unsealed, revealing five federalcharges related to contributions to his 2021 campaign, including luxury gifts from foreign entities, wire fraud, and bribery. He said he has no plans to resign as he faces these criminal charges.
The mayor is expected to have several days to turn himself in to authorities.
Hunter Biden
Biden’s son Hunter Biden has been indicted twice during his father’s presidency. First, in September 2023, on three felony counts related to his purchase of a firearm. In June, he was convicted of all three charges and is scheduled to be sentenced on November 13.
His second indictment arrived in December 2023, when he was indicted on nine tax-related charges, three of which are felony counts. The DOJ alleged that Hunter Biden “engaged in a four-year scheme in which he chose not to pay at least $1.4 million in self-assessed federal taxes he owed for tax years 2016 through 2019 and to evade the assessment of taxes for tax year 2018 when he filed false returns.”
Earlier this month, he pleaded guilty in federal court to all counts. He is scheduled to be sentenced on December 16.
President Joe Biden (L) and son Hunter Biden at the Delaware Air National Guard Base on June 11. Hunter Biden has been indicted by the DOJ twice during his father’s presidency.
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
Senator Robert “Bob” Menendez
The former New Jersey senator was indicted, along with his wife Nadine Menendez, in September 2023 for allegedly using his power and influence to obtain lavish gifts unlawfully. He has maintained his innocence.
He was convicted of 16 criminal charges following his nine-week corruption trial in July. His upcoming sentencing date was pushed to January 29, 2025.
Former Representative Terrance John “TJ” Cox
In August 2022, the DOJ indicted the California representative on 28 felony charges: 15 counts of wire fraud, 11 counts of money laundering, one count of financial institution fraud, and one count of campaign contribution fraud.
Cox appeared in federal court on Wednesday and maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to all the charges. He is scheduled to appear in court at a status hearing on December 11, although his lawyer, Mark Coleman, told ABC30, “Our hope is that we will be able to negotiate a fair resolution in this case; we just need more time.”
California Rep. TJ Cox speaks in Washington, D.C., on January 17, 2019. Cox was indicted by the DOJ on 28 felony charges in August 2022.
AP Photo/Andrew Harnik,
Representative Henry Cuellar
In May, the Texas representative and his wife, Imelda Cuellar, were indicted on 14 criminal charges relating to allegedly participating in two schemes involving bribery, unlawful foreign influence, and money laundering from December 2014 to November 2021. The alleged bribes were in relation to an Azerbaijani oil and gas company and a bank headquartered in Mexico City. He has denied the allegations.
His criminal trial is scheduled for next year.
Former Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum
In June 2022, former Tallahassee mayor and gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum was handed a 21-count indictment, 19 of the counts relating to wire fraud and conspiracy to commit it. He was also charged with making false statements to FBI agents.
In May 2023, a jury acquitted him of the charge that he lied to an FBI agent and was hung on charges about channeling campaign money into his personal accounts.
Illinois State Representative Michael J. Madigan
Former Speaker of the Illinois State House Michael Madigan was indicted on 22 counts of racketeering and bribery charges in March 2022. His criminal trial has been delayed until October 8.
