In an extraordinary courtroom showdown, a federal judge pressed the Justice Department on Wednesday on its demand to throw out New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ corruption case, grilling a top official and putting the Democratic mayor under oath to answer concerns that the Trump administration’s lifeline came with strings attached.

Adams was indicted on five counts including bribery, conspiracy and campaign finance violations. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Now, it’s up to Dale E. Ho, a second-year federal judge in Manhattan, to decide if Adams' corruption case goes away. It’s the biggest challenge of Ho’s young judicial career, pitting the political pursuits of new Justice Department leadership in Washington against the objections of federal prosecutors in Manhattan who charged Adams last September and insist he be held accountable for allegedly taking bribes and illegal campaign contributions from foreign interests.