Being “tough on crime” has worked for conservative politicians for decades, and it worked for Adams too. But quickly, Adams’ actual conservative policies and resolute unseriousness about governance knocked him out of the public’s good graces.

In a talk with Tucker Carlson, whom he once criticized, Adams claimed the Democratic party left him because of his immigration views.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams talks about being a Democrat in the past tense in a preview clip for an interview with Tucker Carlson that will be posted in full Tuesday night.