NEW YORK — At an extraordinary hearing Wednesday, the Justice Department’s second-in-command demanded that a judge dismiss corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams as the leader of the nation’s largest city — his liberty and political future at stake — declared: “I have not committed a crime.”

After scrutinizing the request for more than an hour, Manhattan federal Judge Dale Ho declined to rule immediately, saying he wanted to carefully review the “unusual situation.” But, acknowledging the vast political and legal implications, which include Adams’ pending reelection bid and looming April 21 trial date, he indicated he’d make a decision soon.

“I’m not going to shoot from the hip right here on the bench,” said Ho, letting out a heavy sigh as he drew the 80-minute proceeding to a close. But, he noted, “it is not in anyone’s interest for this to drag on.”

The Justice Department’s request — lodged by officials in Washington over the objections of federal prosecutors in Manhattan — was predicated on arguments that the case was impeding Adams’ ability to govern and costing the Trump administration his cooperation in its ongoing immigration crackdown.

Acting Deputy U.S. Attorney General Emil Bove, alone at the prosecution table, told Ho that the Justice Department was exercising “prosecutorial discretion” and that granting the request was the judge’s only option. Adams’ lawyer, Alex Spiro, said no appeals court has ever sided with a judge who rejected an unopposed motion to dismiss a criminal case.

Bove urged Ho to ignore outside voices — including those of prosecutors who resigned in protest rather that go along with his demand to drop the case. Bove said the judge should reject such claims that there was a “quid pro quo” between Adams and the Justice Department.

Adams, questioned under oath by Ho, testified there was no “other agreement” between himself and the government. Ho also questioned Adams about a provision in the Justice Department’s dismissal motion that would allow prosecutors to revive charges against him at a later date.

“I have not committed a crime,” Adams said. “I’m not afraid of that.”

Ho scheduled the hearing after three Trump administration lawyers, including Bove, made the dismissal request Friday. Manhattan’s top federal prosecutor resigned after she refused an order to seek dismissal.

Adams pleaded not guilty last September to charges he accepted more than $100,000 in illegal campaign contributions and lavish travel perks from a Turkish official and business leaders seeking to buy Adams’ influence while he was Brooklyn borough president.

Early last week, Bove told prosecutors in New York to drop the charges because the prosecution “has unduly restricted Mayor Adams’ ability to devote full attention and resources to the illegal immigration and violent crime.” Bove said charges could be reinstated after November’s mayoral election.