New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who scrapped plans to spend Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the city, announced on Monday morning he accepted an invitation to attend President Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony in Washington, D.C.
In a post on X, Adams appeared to reference Dr. King, writing "we must put partisan politics aside to do what's best for our country. I believe there's much we can achieve working alongside the federal government as we support our city's values and fight for New Yorkers."
The mayor, who recently met with the president at his Mar-a-Lago residence, watched the ceremony from the screens of the Capitol's Emancipation Hall, which served as the designated overflow room.
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Inside the room, Adams was spotted by a Politico reporter taking a picture with influencer and boxer Jake Paul and his brother Logan Paul, both of whom have shown their support for the Republican president.
The Democratic mayor was also seen with Charles Herbster, a Trump-backed business executive who ran in Nebraska's GOP gubernatorial primary but whose campaign was shaken after multiple women accused him of groping or inappropriate touching. Herbster has denied the allegations.
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According to Herbster, both were seated next together during the ceremony.
"Today, I have the pleasure of being seated with New York City Mayor Eric Adams @NYCMayor for President Donald J. Trump's swearing in. America is ready for our 47th President of the United States," Herbster said in a post on X.
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His absence from Martin Luther King Jr. Day events in New York City did not go unnoticed from local lawmakers.
"That's not for New York!" New York City Council Speaker said, seemingly trying to temper her anger. "Some who should be here in this room celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King have chosen to go to Washington to celebrate felon 47."
The mayor's public schedule for Monday was sent out after midnight on Monday, and stated Adams would be at events in Brooklyn and Harlem to commemorate the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. But in the morning, City Hall sent out an updated schedule, explaining that the mayor had received a 2 a.m. invitation and hit the road overnight to Washington, D.C.
The New York politician, who has often used fashion to make public statements, attended the ceremony wearing a navy blue suit with a white shirt and a magenta tie.
He was set to travel back to New York City after the inauguration. But the underlying question was whether the mayor's tip to D.C. was about a dream of a presidential pardon from Trump.
At a watch party in the nation's capital, some did not believe that was the case.
"I think he's looking to show the city will stand behind President Trump and clean up our city and get the things we need from our president," said Mike Sapraicone, of the Nassau County GOP.
