New York City mayor praises Elon Musk as efficiency head

NEW YORK — New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, praised Elon Musk's inclusion in the incoming cabinet of President-elect Donald Trump.

Adams, who has taken a notably soft stance on Trump of late, characterized Musk's new perch atop the Department of Government Efficiency as a kindred effort to his bid to streamline City Hall.

"One of the people I think it was important to bring on board, some people may argue, is Elon Musk," Adams said during an interview on PIX 11. "We're dealing with an antiquated government filled with bureaucracy unwilling to make any changes."

Adams said modernizing government could be as simple as instituting drones — incidentally something the big-city mayor talked about at length earlier in the day.

At a press briefing near Central Park, Adams discussed a new initiative that will pair drone teams with several NYPD precincts. Officers will deploy the devices as soon as emergency calls are received and use them for routine neighborhood patrols.

Adams has also spoken approvingly of a robotic dog used to guard Trump's Florida residence. The mayor unveiled a machine made by the same manufacturer at a Times Square press conference in 2023 and has brushed off criticism of the cybernetic canines being deployed by emergency workers in New York City.

"I'm a big believer in technology. I don't know if many of you noticed that the incoming president is using Digidog, one of the technologies that we use here," Adams said. "He's using it in Florida now to protect his grounds. It just shows that we have been leading from the front."

During Wednesday evening's interview, Adams declined to weigh in on the nomination of firebrand Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz as Trump's nomination for attorney general.

"You got to pick the right people that understand your vision and are willing to move with that vision," he said. "And [Trump's] choosing those who believe."

Adams has urged cooperation with Trump's team at the same time he is facing criminal charges in federal court.

The president-elect has trashed the case as politically motivated, casting himself and Adams — who has welcomed the support — as victims of a similar retribution scheme. Once in office, Trump would have multiple ways to assist Adams with his case and could even grant him a pardon if he's convicted.