New York City’s First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer announced her resignation on Monday, Feb. 17, stepping down alongside Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom, and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Chauncey Parker. The abrupt departures mark a significant shift within Mayor Eric Adams’ administration amid a turbulent political climate.
The resignations follow the Department of Justice’s recent motion to dismiss federal bribery charges against Mayor Adams, a move that has sparked allegations of a political quid pro quo. Governor Kathy Hochul has convened key leaders to discuss the city’s leadership crisis and potential actions regarding Mayor Adams’ tenure.
In a letter addressed to her colleagues, Torres-Springer expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to serve New Yorkers, emphasizing that public service has always been an “act of love.” She cited the “extraordinary events of the last few weeks” as a key factor in her decision, though she did not specify further. However, the timing of her departure coincides with ongoing controversies surrounding Mayor Adams’ leadership and recent legal challenges.
“Serving as Deputy Mayors has been the greatest honor and privilege of our lives,” she wrote in a joint statement with Joshi and Williams-Isom. “We have worked each day with the singular mission of improving the lives of New Yorkers and strengthening the physical foundation of the city we love.”
Torres-Springer, who played a pivotal role in economic development and housing policy, expressed pride in the initiatives she helped spearhead during her tenure.
Acknowledging the difficulty of her decision to step down, Torres-Springer expressed hope that others would see it as one also made out of love. She and her fellow departing deputy mayors have assured Mayor Adams that they will do everything possible to ensure a smooth transition, with further details on their departures to be shared in the coming days.
She also conveyed her immense pride and gratitude for the work accomplished alongside her colleagues. While noting that the list of achievements is extensive, she emphasized that their collective success was only possible because of the brilliance, integrity, and dedication of those who serve the city each day.
“Due to the extraordinary events of the last few weeks and to stay faithful to the oaths we swore to New Yorkers and our families, we have come to the difficult decision to step down from our roles,” the joint statement further read. “While our time in this administration will come to a close, our support for the incredible public servants across the administration with whom we have stood shoulder to shoulder and our championing of this great city and all it stands for will never cease.”
“I am disappointed to see them go, but given the current challenges, I understand their decision and wish them nothing but success in the future,” Mayor Adams said in a statement. “But let me be crystal clear: New York City will keep moving forward, just as it does every day. All deputy mayors will remain in their roles for the time being to ensure a seamless transition. The people of New York City remain, without question, our top priority.
“I am solely beholden to the 8.3 million New Yorkers I represent, and I will always put this city first — as I always have.”
“Maria Torres-Springer, Anne Williams-Isom, Meera Joshi, and Chauncey Parker are extraordinary public servants who have been vital to our work reshaping New York City,” the mayor’s office also said in the statement. “Together, we’ve broken housing records, created the most jobs in the city’s history, provided for hundreds of thousands of longtime New Yorkers and migrants, built unprecedented public spaces, and made our city safer at every level. New Yorkers owe them an enormous debt of gratitude for their service to our city.”
