Day: February 14, 2025

The swift fallout continues from Thursday’s wave of federal prosecutor resignations over President Trump’s Justice Department moving to drop Mayor Eric Adams‘ corruption charges — with a number of city pols freshly calling for Hizzoner’s ouster and Gov. Kathy Hochul not ruling out taking steps to remove him from office.

Danielle Sassoon’s stunning resignation Thursday as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York after refusing a top DOJ official’s request to dismiss the Adams case prompted five other federal prosecutors with the Public Integrity Division to step down that same day after the Justice Department tried to transfer the case from the SDNY to the unit, the New York Times reported.

However, an explosive Wednesday letter that Sassoon sent to Attorney General Pam Bondi triggered the new calls for Adams’ removal from office. In the Feb. 12 letter, Sassoon  said she could not comply with the order to drop the charges because it is “inconsistent with my ability and duty to prosecute federal crimes without fear or favor.” She said the memo ordering the case be dismissed, which expressly sites Adams being able to focus on helping implement Trump’s immigration crackdown as a reason for letting him off the hook, amounted to a quid-pro-quo.

The political ramifications came quickly, with a wave of new calls for Adams to step down or for Hochul to take action.

“The last thing the people of New York want is for our city to turn into an annex of the Trump administration, yet that is exactly what is happening,” state Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris said in a Friday morning statement. “Eric Adams is clearly compromised and can no longer be considered the legitimate leader of our city. He must step down or be removed.”

Hochul to ‘figure out the right approach’

Meanwhile, Hochul, for the first time, did not rule out the possibility of giving Adams the boot during a Thursday night interview with MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow.

The governor noted it was “unbelievably unprecedented” for the main Justice Department to interfere in Adams’ case and that the allegations in Sassoon’s letter were “extremely concerning and serious.” While she stopped short of committing to remove Adams, she did leave the door open to the possibility, which contrasts with her previous position of showing no appetite to dismiss the mayor.

“I cannot, as the governor of this state, have a knee-jerk, politically motivated reaction like a lot of other people are saying right now,” Hochul said. “I have to do what’s smart, what’s right, and I’m consulting with other leaders in government at this time.”

She added that she needs time to “process this and figure out the right approach.”

Hochul’s second-in-command, Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, did not wait for his boss to make up her mind, as he called on Adams to resign in a social media post on Thursday night. But he did stop short of urging Hochul to force Adams out.

“New York City deserves a mayor accountable to the people, not beholden to the president,” Delgado wrote. “Mayor Adams should step down.”

When asked about Hochul’s comments during a Friday morning FOX & Friends interview, Adams simply said, “She has her role; I have my role.”

‘I want ICE to deliver’

The trend of news surrounding Adams’ case came as he appears to be complying with Trump’s effort to round up and deport undocumented migrants in the five boroughs.

After meeting with Trump’s Border Czar Tom Homan on Thursday, Adams said he would issue an executive order allowing federal immigration agents to operate on Rikers Island for the first time in 10 years. The mayor’s move sparked immediate outrage from elected officials and advocates who said it violates the city’s sanctuary laws, which bar its cooperation with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement in many instances.

Adams and Homan appeared jointly Friday morning on FOX & Friends, during which Homan, when asked if Adams failed to “come through” in assisting in the immigration crackdown, said he would “be in his office, up his butt, saying, ‘Where the hell is the agreement we came to?'”

“And I want ICE to deliver,” Mayor Adams said in response. “We’re going to deliver for the safety of the American people.” 

City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, along with Council Members Alexa Aviles (D-Brooklyn) and Sandy Nurse (D-Brooklyn), tied the mayor’s announcement directly to Sassoon’s resignation over his charges being dropped.

“Today’s statement by the mayor only further connects it to the resignations at DOJ over the apparent quid pro quo identified by the recently resigned U.S. Attorney for the Southern Distric,” they said in a Feb. 13 statement. “This announcement only deepens the concern that the mayor is prioritizing the interests of the Trump Administration over those of New Yorkers.”

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The Hendrick I. Lott House, one of Brooklyn’s oldest surviving Dutch Colonial homes, is set to become Marine Park’s first museum following extensive interior renovations slated to begin in early 2026.

Built in 1720, the historic house at 1940 East 36th St. has long been a community landmark. However, its transformation into a fully operational museum will mark a new chapter for the neighborhood and the storied history of Southern Brooklyn that shaped the city we know today.

According to Alyssa Loorya, PhD, president of Friends of the Lott House and principal of Chrysalis Archeology, the renovations, expected to take about 18 months, will modernize the home’s infrastructure while preserving its historical details. However, due to the property’s current condition, work may take longer. Once completed, the museum will focus on the history of the Lott family, the surrounding neighborhood, and the diverse individuals who lived and worked on the farm.

“We’re very much looking forward to the modernization,” Loorya told Brooklyn Paper, noting that all renovations will prioritize preserving the historic fabric and salvageable materials on the property. “If something is dilapidated to the point that it’s not salvageable, we will ensure that we fully document it so we can do accurate reproductions in the future.”

The Friends of the Lott House, a volunteer group dedicated to preserving the home and sharing its history, has played a vital role in the restoration efforts so far. Founded in the early 1990s by architects and community members, the organization has collaborated with NYC Parks and the Historic House Trust to restore the property, supported by $4 million set aside by the NYC Council in 2023.

The Lott House is located in the Marine Park area settled by the Dutch in 1636, and was one of the earliest parts of what would become NYC. The property served as a large farm, or Bowery, to support Lower Manhattan with food and produce. It was also a site where British troops camped during the Battle of Long Island and is recognized by New York State as a stop on the Underground Railroad. Archaeologists have also uncovered evidence of spiritual activities by enslaved or formerly enslaved individuals within the house, marking it as a significant cultural and historical site.

“It’s a unique opportunity to have this little-thought-of area of Brooklyn and New York City tell a story that is important to so many New Yorkers and to the narrative of New York itself,” Loorya said. “As someone who lives in deep South Brooklyn, it will be nice to have a cultural institution that offers opportunities many have to travel across Brooklyn to engage in.”

Direct descendants of the Lott family occupied the home until 1989, and it was later acquired by the city in 2002. Exterior and landscape renovations were completed in 2013, but the interior has remained closed to the public. The upcoming renovations will include updates to electricity, plumbing, air conditioning, and accessibility, ensuring the house can safely welcome visitors.

Once open, the museum will feature interpretive programs and exhibitions highlighting the Lott family’s legacy, the farm’s history, and the stories of enslaved, immigrant, and native-born workers who contributed to the area’s development.

Loorya said the museum will also utilize technology to bring individual stories to life through dynamic exhibitions and displays, rather than static recreations of period rooms.

“What is most engaging is making the past and people in the past relatable and telling their stories,” Loorya explained. “We’re fortunate that we’re at a point in technology and information availability where we can identify so many of the people who worked around the Lott family and really make broader connections.”

In the meantime, Friends of the Lott House will continue to run programs virtually and on the lawn outside the house. For more information or to support the renovation efforts, visit Lotthouse.org.

Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), City University of New York (CUNY), said on Thursday that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Morehouse College, the nation’s only male Historically Black College or University (HBCU). The MOU would enhance the partnership between both institutions by strengthening the pipeline for eligible BMCC graduates to transfer to Morehouse College.

BMCC said the MOU, signed during a ceremony at the Morehouse campus in Atlanta, launches the BMCC-Morehouse Transfer Dual Admission Pathway Program, which guarantees admission to BMCC students who meet the specified academic and admission criteria for transfer into both Morehouse College and the Morehouse College Online Bachelor’s degree program.

Admitted students are now also eligible for auto-admission into the Dual-Admission Pathway Program, where they can study engineering through the Morehouse College Dual-Degree Engineering Program, “thereby providing them with a unique opportunity to obtain both a liberal arts college education and a professional engineering education,” BMCC said.

“The Morehouse Dual-Degree Engineering Program opens doors to participating partner institutions including Auburn University, Clarkson University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), Missouri University of Science and Technology, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Notre Dame University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Alabama – Huntsville, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, and University of Southern California,” BMCC said.

“Both of these new program elements build upon the guaranteed admission program that BMCC and Morehouse established almost three years ago,” it added.

Dr. Anthony Munroe, president of BMCC, said, “We’re pleased to further enhance our partnership agreement with Morehouse College.

“Our collaboration embodies our shared commitment to empowering students to thrive in their academic pursuits and embark upon rewarding careers,” added the son of Jamaican immigrants.

Morehouse College President David A. Thomas said: “Morehouse College is proud to reaffirm our partnership with the Borough of Manhattan Community College as we continue our commitment to expanding access to higher education for talented transfer students.

“This renewed MOU strengthens our shared mission of providing young men with a clear pathway to a Morehouse education, ensuring they are academically prepared and well-supported throughout their transition,” he added.

“Through this collaboration, Morehouse and BMCC will enhance engagement opportunities that familiarize students with the academic rigor, culture, and traditions of Morehouse—ultimately fostering a seamless transfer experience and timely matriculation,” Dr. Thomas continued.

BMCC said the partnership agreement includes the BMCC-Morehouse Leadership Scholars Program, a cohort-based learning community designed to provide academic support, mentorship, and additional resources to participating students.

BMCC said Morehouse College will offer pre-enrollment advising, financial aid information, and housing support to ensure a smooth transition for its students.

Furthermore, it said the agreement includes collaboration between Morehouse College’s Andrew Young Center for Global Leadership and BMCC’s Office of Diplomatic Education & Training “to co-create opportunities aimed at enhancing training for diplomats while providing access to high-quality academic courses.”

“Together, we are building bridges that will not only enhance educational opportunities for our students but also prepare them to emerge as leaders and change-makers ready to make a meaningful impact on the world around them,” Dr. Munroe said.

BMCC said the partnership agreement aligns with the missions of both institutions “to advance equity and promote the intellectual growth of students.”

By providing structured support and a clear pathway for transfer, BMCC said both institutions are “setting a new standard for educational collaboration that fosters student success.”

In November, BMCC said it signed a historic “Statement of Shared Interest” with The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), a world-renowned institution of higher learning located in the heart of London, England.

BMCC said it is the first and only community college locally or abroad to have entered into a shared interest agreement with LSE.

“This is a testament to BMCC’s commitment to becoming the nation’s leading community college for shaping globally-minded graduates, who are ready to serve their communities nationally and internationally,” said BMCC, stating that the collaboration will allow BMCC students to enroll in LSE courses during the summer semester and beyond, offering them the opportunity to study alongside peers from around the globe and gain insights from LSE’s distinguished faculty members.

BMCC said the historic event, which took place at a ceremony at LSE on Nov. 15, “represents the mutual interests of both institutions to explore avenues of collaboration that will enhance research opportunities and cultural exchanges, as well as promote global understanding and the development of a diverse and inclusive academic community.”

The signing of the agreement between BMCC and LSE comes on the heels of BMCC being named one of only four institutions to receive a $ 1 million pledge award from the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) to expand its study abroad and study away programs, “which aim to develop students who are culturally aware, socially engaged, and ready to excel in a competitive job market and an increasingly interdependent society.”

“The London School of Economics and Political Science is an institution known for its intellectual rigor and innovative approach to education,” Dr. Munroe said.  “We are thrilled to form this collaboration, which will provide invaluable learning experiences for our students and open doors to new perspectives and opportunities on a global scale.

“The agreement exemplifies BMCC’s steadfast commitment to expanding its reach and fostering international academic engagement that benefits our entire community,” he added.

Peter Trubowitz, Professor of International Relations and Director of the US Centre at the London School of Economics and Political Science, said LSE was “delighted to partner with Borough of Manhattan Community College.

“This agreement aligns with our mission to provide an international educational experience and to engage with institutions that share our commitment to academic excellence and educational opportunity,” he said.

“We look forward to welcoming BMCC students to our campus and exploring the synergies that will arise from our shared interest in addressing global challenges,” Trubowitz added.

Police have arrested a repeat offender for allegedly assaulting, robbing and attempting to rape a woman in Brooklyn Heights.

The post Police arrest ‘absconded’ parolee in Brooklyn Heights robbery and attempted rape appeared first on Brooklyn Eagle.