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Nine Democratic candidates took the stage in New York City on Wednesday, with the first of two debates ahead of the mayoral primary on June 24th, with the claws coming out for former governor Andrew Cuomo.
Cuomo’s Covid-19 scandal was front and center just minutes into the debate as the host asked the candidate how to stand up to President Donald Trump if he was elected mayor.
The former governor dismissed the justification of the Department of Justice’s investigation into his false Congressional testimony about decisions made during Covid-19 when pressed by Politico host Sally Goldenberg.
“That’s the Maga Line, the Trump Line, because it was Trump’s reelection,” Cuomo said when repeatedly asked if he had a role in writing the contested Covid-19 report.
Andrew Cuomo, the main major targets in New York City shift to high gear
New York Mayor Andrew Cuomo said on Wednesday, June 4th, 2025 Iwamura Yuki/AP Photo/Bloomberg.)
Cuomo said the Justice Department’s investigation is another example of the “political football” game of the pandemic.
Sources confirm that he is investigating Andrew Cuomo, who is allegedly lying about Covid’s decision.
“This is what Trump does. He started investigating me. I started investigating Kathy Hochul, Sen. Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton. This is one of his tactics,” Cuomo said.
Also joining Cuomo during the debate on Wednesday night are city council president Adrian Adams, city director Brad Lander, former city director Scott Stringer, former state legislator Michael Blake of the Bronx, Brooklyn state Sen. Michael Blake, Queens Sen. Jessica Ramos and former Hedge Executive Executive Executive.
The Democratic mayoral primary winner will be considered an overwhelming favourite to win the November general election in Blue City. The New York mayor’s early voting in the Democratic primary begins on June 14th and runs until June 22nd.
Cuomo is fundraising from a clear vote and fundraising in the Democratic primary, given his recognition and experience.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams is running for reelection this year as an independent. (AP/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Incumbent mayor Eric Adams, who has found an unlikely basis for his efforts to combat illegal immigration, has run as independence. The Justice Department made an unusual decision earlier this year to dismiss the charges against Adams on federal corruption charges.
“I’ve dealt with him before, so I know how to deal with Donald Trump,” Cuomo said during the discussion stage.
Cuomo promoted his experience as governor. He especially promoted it for challenging Trump’s agenda during his first term as president.
“I’m the last person I want to consider Trump as mayor at this stage, so that’s why people in this city are the first choice they can choose as mayor,” Cuomo said.
(Left to right): Democratic mayoral candidates Brad Lander, Jessica Ramos, Zellnor Myrie, Andrew Cuomo, Whitney Tilson and Zohran Mamdani will be taking part in the main discussion of the Democratic mayor at NBC’s 30 Rockefeller Center Studios in New York.
When pressed again by the moderator and his competitor, Cuomo said he told Congress the truth about the number of nursing home deaths in New York during Covid-19, the basis of the Justice Department’s investigation.
“No, I told Congress the truth,” Cuomo said. “No, we didn’t overturn death.”
Still, Cuomo refused to answer whether he was involved in the production of the contested Covid-19 report.
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The former governor was burned last year by Republican lawmakers about his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. House Republicans subsequently recommended that the Justice Department pursue criminal charges against him. They accused the House Oversight Committee of intentionally lying to Congress while investigating excessive numbers of nursing home deaths.
Paul Steinhauser and Greg Wehner of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
Deirdre Heavey is a political writer for Fox News Digital.
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