New York, New York - New York's top official proposed a package of oversight "guardrails" Thursday against New York City Mayor Eric Adams over claims he was pandering to Donald Trump after the president moved to drop corruption charges against him.

Governor Kathy Hochul said she was "deeply troubled" by the corruption charges against Adams, and the subsequent push by Trump to drop them, prompting what she called "allegations of a quid pro quo with the Trump administration."

But she declined to use her powers to remove Adams. Instead, she announced a new inspector to scrutinize the mayor and created a fund for other city officials to sue the federal government on touchstone issues affecting the city, like immigration, if Adams failed to.

The measures would require approval from both the city council and the state legislature, and Hochul stressed that the threat of removing Adams was not off the table.

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"After careful consideration, I have determined that I will not commence removal proceedings at this time," she said.

"The Trump administration has said it is already trying to use the legal jeopardy facing our mayor, as leverage to squeeze and punish our cities."

Adams was charged in September 2024 with bribery and campaign finance offenses that included allegations he took sweeteners from Turkish nationals to open their consulate without a proper fire inspection.

But Trump has moved to drop the prosecution against Adams, insisting it impaired the city's ability to participate in his deportation campaign against undocumented migrants.

On Wednesday, a judge heard a Trump official's case for dropping the prosecution, but has yet to issue a ruling, meaning the prosecution is ongoing.

"While there is no legal basis for limiting New Yorkers' power by limiting the authority of my office, I have told the governor... I am willing to work with her to ensure faith in our government is strong," Adams said after Hochul's intervention.

Critics have suggested that Trump, a Republican, has only sought to discontinue the prosecution against Adams because the mayor has declined to criticize Trump and indicated he will participate in the immigration crackdown.

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New York is currently a sanctuary city, meaning local police and authorities do not assist immigration agents in their pursuit of undocumented migrants.

But Adams has indicated Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents could be allowed to operate in New York City's largest prison complex, Rikers Island.

Hochul denied her move amounted to a power grab.