Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, knows how to put on a show. Black SUVs zoom into Gracie Mansion. Large color maps and stern government lawyers stand with their hands clasped. “A multi-year plan,” Williams said, “to curry favor with a single New York City politician on the rise: Eric Adams.”

It’s all nice sound and fury, but is it as serious as Williams claims?

At first glance, what the Turkish government received as “favors” from Mayor Adams were small potatoes. Reducing the administrative burden to open the Turkish consulate on time. A position in the transition team. And what did Adams get in return? Campaign donations. And first class upgrades with Turkish Airlines. #Extralegroomgate.

The latter is embarrassing, but may not be illegal. The straw donor program is more serious, but Adams denies knowing anything about it.

It is in the interests of fairness – and in the interests of New York City – that Adams be allowed to mount a defense while he continues to serve his term.

The resigning mob’s argument is that he is so distracted that he cannot possibly lead and that his administration is in chaos, with several employees resigning or fleeing for the exits.

But the alternative is a recipe for similar chaos.

The vultures already circling will lead Gotham to disaster, starting with the man who would temporarily take over if Adams were to resign or be impeached: Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.

A defund-the-police movement that prefers getting arrested at protests to actually providing solutions could actually worsen the crime situation in a short time.

Then a special election would take place, probably in early 2025.

Adams’s thus far declared election rivals are also a terrible collection of non-serious progressive loudmouths or former folks. Meanwhile, the disgraced ex-governor. Andrew Cuomo smells blood in the water and circles around.

Republicans? Councilman Joe Borelli has said he’s running on a special, and perhaps another sensible option will emerge somewhere — but the Democrats’ lead in citywide registration is beyond scary.

The decision to pursue Adams undoubtedly carries a strong whiff of politics: The investigation clearly kicked into high gear after the mayor angered the White House by going public with his complaints about the impact of the border crisis on New York.

And the Southern District press on Adams officials — even raiding Interim Police Commissioner Tom Donlon’s home recently, just days after he took the NYPD job, over documents he has apparently had in his possession for nearly two decades. had possession – only adds to those suspicions.

The record of prosecutors and confidence in the justice system in recent years, from the treatment of Hunter Biden and Donald Trump to partisan prosecutors and the kid-glove treatment of violent offenders, is nothing short of appalling.

We reserve judgment on whether Mayor Adams acted wrongly. The law is the law and a fair legal process will uncover the truth.

The coming days will reveal the strength of the criminal case against Adams and his ability to dismantle it.

But there’s no need to rush things. Either way, New Yorkers will decide next year whether to keep him for a second term or go in a new direction.

Meanwhile, what they really want is for someone to continue the fight against crime, fight the tsunami of anti-Semitism in the city, tackle the migrant crisis, grapple with the rising cost of living, tackle the housing crisis and improve the atrocious educational institutions. student performance in the system.