In a move that could upend New York City's mayoral race, President Donald Trump is reported to be consideringMayor Eric Adamsfor U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia. The potential nomination comes as Adams faces increasing pressure to drop his re-election bid in a crowded field againststate Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani. Mamdani, a democratic socialist and the Democratic nominee for mayor, leads in polls 60 days before the November general election. Adams, an embattled mayor accused of corruption, has single-digit support for re-election, polls show. Adams and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo are both running as independents, vying for moderate and conservative voters. Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels, a crime prevention organization, is the lone Republican candidate in the largely Democratic city. Getting Adams out of the race could help Cuomo consolidate support among voters who don't like Mamdani, political analysts have said. Adams said in a statement that he has not received a formal job offer from the administration. "While I will always listen if called to serve our country, no formal offers have been made. I am still running for reelection, and my full focus is on the safety and quality of life of every New Yorker," according to the statement. "Serving New Yorkers as their mayor is the only job I've ever wanted," he said. TheNew York Times first reportedon the ambassadorship talks, followed byPolitico, which both cited anonymous sources familiar with the discussions. The White House didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. Adams opted not to run in the June Democratic primary, but has publicly said he's staying in the race until the Nov. 4 general election. President Trump, a Queens native, has loomed over the mayoral campaign.Trump's Justice Department dropped federal corruption charges against Adams in April. Trump officials said the prosecution was politically motivated and hindered Adams from aiding in the administration's immigration enforcement plans. Adams had visited Trumpat his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida and attended Trump's inauguration in what critics said were his attempts to get the charges dropped. Trump has insisted that Mamdani, who dominatedthe June primary against Cuomo, cannot become mayor. Trump has eventhreatened to arrestMamdani if he wins the mayor's race and fails to allow federal officials to enforce immigration laws. The 33-year-old Mamdani has said he would end the city's cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement if elected. On Sept. 4,Trump said he'd liketo see two people drop out "and have it be one on one." "I think that's a race that could be won," he told reporters. Trump didn't specify which candidates he wanted to drop out or who he would like to win. Mamdani called attempts by Trump officialsto intervene in the mayor's race "outrageous." Eduardo Cuevas is based in New York City. Reach him by email atemcuevas1@usatoday.comor on Signal at emcuevas.01. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Trump considering NYC Mayor Adams for Saudi ambassador
