A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed New York Mayor Eric Adamss’ corruption case, granting a request from the Justice Department that was widely seen as a quid pro quo in exchange for Adams’s implementing Trump’s mass deportation agenda. But U.S. Judge Dale Ho dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning the charges cannot be later revived — going against the wishes of the Justice Department, which sought to leave the door open for potential future prosecution.

During a press conference Wednesday, Eric Adams celebrated his legal victory by pitching a book written by new FBI director and prominent conspiracy theorist Kash Patel called “Government Gangsters.”

Mayor Eric Adams: “Jesus stepped in, and he uses who he uses. And New Yorkers stop me all the time in trying to find the rationale behind this. And I found it in this book. I’m going to encourage every New Yorker to read it. Read it and understand how we can never allow this to happen to another innocent American.”

Eric Adams also announced he is leaving the Democratic Party and will seek reelection as New York mayor as an independent.