Mayor Adams Sets Boundary with His Preacher Friend

Mayor Eric Adams supports Bishop Whitehead, but only to a certain extent.

After the controversial robbery of Bishop Lamor Whitehead, NYC Mayor Eric Adams extended his support in finding the alleged bandits. However, he reminded the bishop he is not above the law in regards to the lawsuit heโ€™s facing and also rejected Whiteheadโ€™s suggestion for special clergy gun permits following the incident, according to the NY Daily News.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

Donโ€™t get too comfortable Mr. Bishopโ€ฆ

According to the report, Adams and Whiteheads are good friends. However, when asked about whether clergy should be given special dispensation for gun permits, the mayor answered with a simple โ€œNo.โ€ Whiteheadโ€™s argument was that if teachers were able to have special permits given the spike in mass shootings, pastors should as well.

Bishop Whitehead also gathered some criticism immediately following the sympathies for the robbery after Pauline Anderson filed a civil suit against him. However, Adams said heโ€™s siding with the law in that case.

More from the NY Daily News:

โ€œThe bishop lost his dad โ€” Arthur Miller was his name โ€” during a police incident,โ€ Adams said during an unrelated press conference in the Bronx. โ€œI have always maintained relationships with people who have gone through traumatic experiences. My goal is to mentor people who go through crisis.โ€

Adamsโ€™ support didnโ€™t come without a caveat, though.

Asked whether his longtime relationship with Whitehead might change if the allegations against him are substantiated, Adams wouldnโ€™t offer specifics, but noted that โ€œno one is above the law.โ€

โ€œWe all have to follow the law. I spent my life enforcing the law,โ€ Adams, a former NYPD captain, responded. โ€œI will continue to say to all New Yorkers โ€” friends and foes and allies and enemies โ€” that you have to follow the law. And I think we have a great system to determine whether someone violated the law.โ€

One thing about Mayor Adams is that he values law and order. Thereโ€™s no report of whether Whitehead expected any special treatment from the mayor but itโ€™s not like the bishop doesnโ€™t see himself as holier than thou. Though, the two did work together earlier this year with the apprehension of alleged subway shooter Andrew Adbullah, according to ABC 7 News.

According to the NY Daily News, Whitehead went to prison before he tookย the pulpit due to identity theft. Regarding Andersonโ€™s lawsuit, the mayor said heโ€™s unaware of any criminal investigations into the matter.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.