'God Forbid, I Say God': Adams Defends Church & State Remarks

NEW YORK CITY — As Mayor Eric Adams faced reporters for the first time since decrying the separation of church and state, he Adams dramatically bowed his head in prayer.

"Just wanted to say a silent prayer, so God could give me the patience to answer these questions," he said with a laugh Thursday.

Adams' responses in the lengthy question-and-answer were less patient than unapologetic.

Over 10 minutes, Adams seemingly cast himself as a martyr vilified by the press for expressing his faith.

“Nothing gave me more joy than seeing on the front page of the Daily News my words being attacked for protecting my belief in God,” he said.

“If I’m demonized for that, then I'd take that every day."

But critics largely weren't upset with Adams' remarks about God and faith so much as his dismissal of the separation of church and state — a bedrock principle of American government.

When the mayor said, "Don't tell me about no separation of church and state," many people argued that Adams actually could harm the protections for faith set up in the Constitution.

"In order for our government to truly represent us, it must not favor any belief over another, including non-belief," said Donna Lieberman, executive director for the New York Civil Liberties Union, in a statement.

Adams also brushed off concerns about his stance on prayer in schools, saying there are "clear rules" that he doesn't have the power to change.

But he went to argue that schoolchildren should have exposure to religion through clubs or visit houses of worship.

“We need to stop pretending that this is not a country that believe in faith,” he said.

"God forbid, I say God."