The dismissal took place after US District Judge Dale Ho ruled that the case should be closed "with prejudice," meaning the Department of Justice cannot bring the case back using the same evidence. Mayor Adams had faced serious allegations, including conspiracy, fraud, and bribery, stemming from claims that he received over $100,000 in gifts from Turkish nationals in exchange for political favors.

The judge’s decision came after the Justice Department did not object to Adams' request for permanent dismissal. Judge Ho expressed concerns over the optics of the case, suggesting that reviving it could imply that the Mayor’s freedom depended on fulfilling federal immigration policies, conflicting with his responsibilities to New Yorkers.

In February, the acting deputy attorney general had urged New York prosecutors to abandon the case, citing it hampered Adams' role in addressing illegal immigration and crime, priorities of the Trump administration. However, former Manhattan U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon contested this, claiming the mayor's team sought a quid pro quo arrangement for the indictment's abandonment.

Sassoon, along with several other officials, resigned in protest, citing the lack of legal ground for dismissing the case. Following the ruling, Adams’ attorney Alex Spiro expressed relief and reaffirmed the mayor's innocence, stating that justice had finally been served for both Adams and the people of New York City.