### Mayor Eric Adams Pleads Not Guilty to Federal Charges Amid Media Frenzy

In a scene surpassing even Donald Trump’s high-profile court appearances, New York City's Mayor Eric Adams attracted an unprecedented crowd outside the federal courthouse as he faced arraignment on Friday. The mayor pled not guilty to five criminal charges linked to corruption allegations surrounding his 2021 mayoral campaign.

A swarm of broadcast cameras, lighting rigs, and reporters lined the sidewalk outside the courthouse early in the morning, extending across the street. The turnout was notably larger than during Trump's defamation trial with E. Jean Carroll in January, where even the busiest days left pathways navigable and passersby uninterested. Unlike that freezing January, Friday saw joggers stop their runs to capture the spectacle on their phones.

Despite arriving three and a half hours before his scheduled noon arraignment, Adams couldn’t bypass the media frenzy and public curiosity. Unlike Trump, Adams appeared composed and maintained an air of calm through the proceedings. Dressed in a white button-down shirt and dark suit jacket, he arrived early and settled into the courtroom well before the general press and spectators were allowed entry.

Inside, the courtroom quickly filled with law clerks, attorneys from the building, and a few fortunate citizens. Extra seating was arranged to accommodate the number of attendees, and an overflow room was set up on another floor. This was in stark contrast to Trump’s sexual abuse trial, where public interest was markedly lower despite the high stakes involving a former president.

Magistrate Judge Katharine Parker initiated the arraignment shortly after noon, meticulously reading Adams his Miranda rights and summarizing the charges. The mayor remained stoic throughout, maintaining his composure and refusing to meet the gaze of the press. When asked for his plea, Adams firmly stated, "I am not guilty, your honor."

Unsurprisingly, Adams' attorney, Alex Spiro, announced intentions to file a motion to dismiss the indictment next week, asserting his client’s innocence. Meanwhile, Adams was released on the condition that he not contact witnesses or individuals named in the indictment, a list that federal prosecutors will provide to ensure compliance.

The arraignment concluded around 12:30 PM. Adams left the courthouse under the escort of US Marshalls, greeted by an eager crowd and the ever-present media. Amid cheers from a lone supporter, Adams maintained his solemn demeanor during a brief press conference, where Spiro dismissed the case as lacking substance.

Throughout the day, Adams continued his mayoral duties, attending an afternoon advisory committee meeting on the judiciary, leaving behind the commotion that his legal challenges have sparked.