Q&A
Council Member Hudson questions Goode-Trufant on maintaining integrity under pressure
0:26:02
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177 sec
Council Member Crystal Hudson questions Corporation Counsel nominee Muriel Goode-Trufant about maintaining integrity and managing pressures in the role. Goode-Trufant emphasizes the importance of personal integrity, building a strong team, and focusing on the city's best interests.
- Hudson expresses concern about the administration's reputation for ousting individuals who don't comply with their rules.
- Goode-Trufant discusses her approach to potential resignation if asked to do something unethical.
- The exchange highlights the importance of integrity in the Corporation Counsel role.
Crystal Hudson
0:26:02
Yes.
0:26:03
I'd like to ask a question.
0:26:04
Thank you.
0:26:05
Good morning.
Muriel Goode-Trufant
0:26:06
Good morning to my council member.
Crystal Hudson
0:26:09
I'm happy to have a constituent up for such a prestigious role.
0:26:14
This administration has a reputation of ousting those who don't play by their rules or bend the rules, and there's a reported pattern of pushing out black women with integrity who stand their ground.
0:26:27
I would classify you as one such woman.
0:26:30
So my questions for you are, 1, how do you plan to insulate yourself from these pressures?
0:26:36
And 2, perhaps most importantly, how do you plan to manage yourself in an extremely high demanding job with pressures coming from many different directions and where maintaining your integrity and convictions is paramount?
Muriel Goode-Trufant
0:26:50
I I think the last part of your your question is the key to the answer.
0:26:56
I must stay grounded in my personal integrity at all times.
0:27:02
And so, my path towards making sure that that happens is to build up the law department team and to make sure that we are all clear about what our mission is and that is to do the best for the city as a whole.
0:27:21
That's what is in the charter and we have to make sure that we do it so that in 2030, 2040, the paths that we have laid make certain that those following after us, can indeed continue to serve this city in a fine fashion.
Crystal Hudson
0:27:42
If you were forced to resign because you refused to do something that you didn't think was the right thing to do, how would you approach that situation?
Muriel Goode-Trufant
0:27:56
I think with grace.
0:27:59
Candidly, I have been with the city for 30 plus years.
0:28:04
I'm tier 4 and so I'm gonna be alright.
0:28:08
What I wanna make sure is is that the law department is alright.
0:28:12
And so what I will do from the day I am confirmed for as long as I am privileged to serve is to build up the department so that they can face whatever challenges come their way.
Crystal Hudson
0:28:26
Great.
0:28:26
Thank you so much.
0:28:28
I will say as your representative, I'm proud, to have you up for this role.
0:28:33
I'm excited for the opportunity, to have you confirmed, assuming all goes well.
0:28:39
But I think it's really, really important, and it can't be, made clear enough, how important this role is in holding up the entirety of the city, advocating on behalf of all New Yorkers, and maintaining the role with the utmost integrity.
0:28:57
So thank you for your answers.
Muriel Goode-Trufant
0:28:59
Thank you.
