New York mayor's residence raided early this morning after reports of federal charges – live | US news

Good morning,

Federal agents searched the New York mayor Eric Adams's Upper East Side residence, Gracie Mansion, in the early hours of Thursday after reports surfaced that the mayor was facing charges in federal court.

During the raid, a group of nearly a dozen men and women in suits entered the property, some of them carrying briefcases, backpacks or duffel bags, the New York Times reported.

In a statement after the raid, an attorney for Adams said: “This morning, federal agents showed up at Gracie Mansion to create a spectacle (again) and take Mayor Adams' phone (again)… He was not arrested and is looking forward to his day in court. They send a dozen agents to pick up a phone when we would have gladly surrendered it.”

Although the indictment remains sealed, reports are emerging that it also includes allegations of foreign influence and corruption, particularly with regard to possible illegal campaign contributions from the Turkish government.

Adams protested his innocence and said in a video address late Wednesday night: “If I am charged, I am innocent and I will fight it with all my strength and soul.”

Here are further developments in US politics:

• Joe Biden and Volodymyr Zelensky are scheduled to meet at the White House today, while Biden announced new military aid for Ukraine totaling over $8 million.

• Donald Trump and prosecutors will appear in a New York appeals court today to hear the verdict on his $454 million civil fraud case.

• The senate voted unanimously to hold the CEO of bankrupt hospital chain Steward Health Care in contempt of court for failing to comply with a congressional subpoena.