Q&A
Hypothetical scenario of withholding funding based on political opinions
0:22:17
·
48 sec
Speaker Adams presents a hypothetical scenario where Mayor Adams might withhold funding from an organization based on political disagreements, and asks if Goode-Trufant would defend such a decision. Goode-Trufant states she would likely not defend such an action, citing First Amendment concerns.
- Speaker Adams poses a hypothetical scenario similar to the Brooklyn Museum case but with the current mayor
- Goode-Trufant states she would likely not defend a decision to withhold funding based on political opinions
- She emphasizes the Corporation Counsel's obligation to serve justice and follow the rule of law
- Goode-Trufant explicitly states she would support the First Amendment in such a situation
- This exchange demonstrates Goode-Trufant's commitment to constitutional principles over potential political pressures
Adrienne E. Adams
0:22:17
Did you work on that case in behalf of the mayor?
0:22:19
I did not.
0:22:20
K.
0:22:22
If mayor Adams decided to withhold funding from an organization based on his opposition to the political opinions of its executive director and all the top lawyers from all the other non mayoral entities that make up city government raised First Amendment concerns.
0:22:37
Would you defend the mayor's decision?
Muriel Goode-Trufant
0:22:39
Likely not.
Adrienne E. Adams
0:22:40
Why not?
Muriel Goode-Trufant
0:22:42
Well, I we are in a different, time than, the situation from the late nineties in the Brooklyn, Museum.
0:22:51
And I think that the Corporation Council's obligation is to make certain that we are serving justice and following the rule of law.
0:23:00
And so I would support the First Amendment in that situation.