WATCH: NYC Mayor Eric Adams denies claim Democrats have gotten 'too woke'

Ryan King

October 22, 04:14 PM October 22, 04:14 PM

New York City Mayor Eric Adams shrugged off claims that the Democratic Party has grown “too woke" — insisting instead the loud voices of a select few often appear to drown out the party's pragmatists.

"No, just to the contrary, I believe that the rank-and-file Democrat, we are radically practical. And the problem is, is that we try to highlight those who are on the extreme of both parties," Adams said when pressed by CNN's Chris Wallace if his party went too woke and too far to the left.

Adams has been outspoken at times when he deviates from Democratic orthodoxy, occasionally chiding those on the Left who backed the defund the police movement and billing himself as a pragmatic progressive. He made his remarks on an appearance on HBO Max's Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace.

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The mayor has previously distanced himself from being branded as an "anti-woke Democrat," but he has also pinned the blame for soaring crime on policies championed by some corners of the Left, a frequent sticking point for him with progressives.

In a nod to speculation of a coming red wave in the midterm elections, Wallace pressed Adams on whether the Democrats should embark on a course correction if they take a bruising at the ballot box.

"We already have the right course, right correction. I think that it is truly unfortunate that those radically practical Democrats like me, their voices are not allowed to be heard. Their voices do not pierce through the volume of politics right now. And we rather hear from those on the extremes," Adams said.

Adams recounted his experience in the Big Apple as proof that everyday people largely steer clear of political extremes.

"When I move around New York City in America, they are more in line with the philosophies and beliefs of how do we have a country that is going to take care of everyday working people and ensure that we are protected New Yorkers," the mayor said.