The Democratic New York City mayor — standing alone Tuesday as he fielded questions about his precarious legal standing from an unrelenting press corps — all but embraced the Republican presidential candidate’s recent but unsubstantiated declaration that Adams is, like him, the target of a politically motivated federal justice department.

A reader of THE CITY, Lynn B., asked our newsroom, “Eric Adams is represented by top legal talent. Who is paying them? Are NYC taxpayers picking up the bill for his defense?” Here is our answer: As Mayor Eric Adams contends with his indictment and court case,