Eric Adams says he greeted Luigi Mangione to "look him in the eye"

What's New

New York City Mayor Eric Adams explained to reporters why he met Luigi Mangione when he entered New York, saying he wanted to "look him in the eye."

Adams told reporter Dan Mannario that he wanted to prove with his presence that New York City is "leading from the front," and that Mangione could not "just come into our city."

Mangione was flanked by at least two-dozen NYPD and FBI agents when he landed in the city to face charges for the homicide of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Adams also posted to his own X (formerly Twitter) account a video and images of Mangione being walked off the helicopter that brought him into the city; these show the extent of his police patrol.

Mangione was met in the city by the NYPD and FBI, who said that he allegedly "traveled to New York to stalk and shoot Thompson in broad daylight in front of a Manhattan hotel, all in a grossly misguided attempt to broadcast Mangione's views across the country."

Why It Matters

Adams told reporters he was standing up for New York City in his meeting with Mangione.

Adams, who was once an NYPD officer, said: "I want to look him in the eye and state that 'you carried out this terrorist act in my city, the city that this, the people of New York, love.'"

Earlier this year, Adams was indicted over conspiracy to commit wire fraud, federal program bribery, and to receive campaign contributions by foreign nationals while running for, and serving as, mayor of New York. He has pled not guilty.

In October 2024, 69 percent of New Yorkers said they wanted Adams to resign. These sentiments are clear in the comments under Adams' post about Mangione, where one person said: "Super excited to see you facing your corruption charges on April 21."

And another posted: "A criminal? Lol ! A prime example of the pot calling the kettle black!"

Mangione sits at 23 percent approval among all Americans; however, his approval among young Americans is at 39 percent, per a YouGov Poll.

This is higher than Adams' job approval rating among New Yorkers, which sits at 25 percent, per an October New York Times/Siena poll of 853 registered voters.

Adams also told reporters that he was "at a conference a few days ago with the top CEOs, IBM, Deloitte … the shooting and the response after really traumatized the entire industry."

Adams has been criticized in the past for spending too much time at exclusive members clubs for celebrities and the ultrarich.

What To Know

Mangione was flown to New York City yesterday after being extradited from Pennsylvania, where he now awaits charges of stalking, murder through use of a firearm and a firearms offense, as well as murder as an act of terrorism.

He is now in Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC), the same federal prison in New York City that holds music mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs.

What People Are Saying

Eric Adams: "Luigi Mangione was brought back to New York City to answer to the charges in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Those who bring illegal guns to our city will face justice. I want to thank all the individuals and law enforcement who helped bring this suspect into custody. The NYPD stops at nothing to catch criminals."

NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch: "NYPD detectives worked relentlessly to identify and widely distribute images of the suspect who allegedly carried out this premeditated, preplanned, targeted murder, and they are committed to assisting prosecutors in seeing this important case through to its rightful conclusion."

Assistant Director James E. Dennehy of the FBI New York Field Office: "This alleged plot demonstrates a cavalier attitude toward humanity—deeming murder an appropriate recourse to satiate personal grievances. Through continued close partnership with the NYPD, the FBI maintains our steadfast commitment to fervently pursue any individual who promotes a personal agenda through violence."

What Happens Next

Mangione will be tried in New York City for homicide and related charges.

Following that trial, he will return to Pennsylvania to face his charges there of gun possession and carrying false identification.