Alex Spiro, Adams’ defense attorney, denied any quid pro quo deal with the Trump istration, while outside groups urged Judge Dale Ho to conduct a full factual inquiry.

A non-partisan government watchdog laid out how Judge Dale Ho could reject the Trump Justice Department's motion to toss the case, calling the arrangement a "corrupt quid pro quo bargain."

Mayor Adams — faced with five charges of bribery, fraud and soliciting donations from foreign nationals — has frequently met with Trump and ordered his commissioners to refrain from criticizing the president.