Transcript: Mayor Adams Calls In For Live Interview On GMGT Live’s “The Reset Talk Show”

August 16, 2024

J.R. Giddings: Mr. Mayor, how are you? 

Mayor Eric Adams: I'm doing well brother, how are you doing? 

Giddings: I'm doing well, I'm doing well. Good to see you, good to see you as always. 

Mayor Adams: Thank you. 

Giddings: Mayor Adams, let's start off with back to school. Okay, it was reported that cell phone use in New York City schools might not be allowed in the upcoming school year. Can you update us on that?

Mayor Adams: Where we're going is to ensure that we come up with an effective policy for access to phones in schools. The chancellor is mapping out exactly what that's going to look like. He'll be doing an official announcement on it. 

We want to make sure that, number one, during the times when parents are just so used to communicating with their children, we don't want to do something that's going to be overly harmful to their public safety concern. But at the same time, we know cell phones are major distractions to learning. They're major distractions to learning. And so as I like to say, we have to find that sweet spot. We have to find how we balance being able to reach a child during a time of emergency, but how it does not continue to distract with the learning environment. And that's what the chancellor is working on right now.

Giddings: Well, Mr. Mayor, there's a lot of pushback coming from parents for that same reason, being able to reach their son or daughter during the course of the day, especially if something is happening in the school, around the school. That's where the concern lies. And then they're talking about during lunchtime. What about during lunchtime? Are they able to have their phones then?

Mayor Adams: Well, first I want to talk about those concerns because you're right, and that's why we want real buy-in from students, from parents, from educators. We want everyone to have a voice in this. Now, we should keep in mind that there are a large number of schools that right now, they have cell phone bans, right now. People don't realize it because they're doing it on their own— these principals have made a determination that the phones have created such a distraction not only in learning but in some of the public safety, some of the fights, some of the cyberbullying that takes place. 

These phones have been introduced in our lives for the last 20-something years without realizing how they have had a major impact on our social and emotional stability. And I'm surprised the federal government has not done a major blue-ribbon commission to look at what the impact of social media and phones have done to our entire country. 

I know Dr. Vasan, my Department of Health and Mental Hygiene commissioner, we held a summit around social media, and it was startling to see the impact of social media on the development of our children, particularly those under 13 years old. So we need to really have an intelligent conversation around this. So we understand the safety aspect, but we have to do what's best for these children as they develop into their full personhood and move into adulthood.

Giddings: I agree with that, Mayor Adams. What's key there is intelligent conversation. This morning we have Pastor Straker here with us. He's going to pose a question to you, then we have Nicole Jordan-Martin. Good morning, Pastor Straker, and how are you?

Pastor Louis Straker: Good morning, J.R.. Good morning, Mr. Mayor and our listening audience. It's good to be with you. 

Mayor Adams: How are you?

Pastor Straker: Good, doing well, sir. So good morning again, and just glad that you have the opportunity to be with us. I know you're a busy man. There's been a lot of conversation about mask bans. I want to talk to you about that. 

We have seen in the streets trying to battle gun violence and other matters where a lot of these young kids are wearing these masks, these hoodies, and sometimes when you have these violent crimes, it's very difficult to identify certain individuals off of cameras and things like that. And then you also have the other end, in our trains and so forth, where you're in close quarters, as you've seen that COVID has been somewhat on the rise and you have people with health issues that are saying, listen, we can't have a mask ban because of that. What are your views concerning this whole subject around mask bans?

Mayor Adams: That's a great question. I am a believer in banning masks that are worn for non-health reasons. Because you're right, when you look at the number of violent crimes that we're seeing, you're seeing people wearing masks, face coverings, etc. And you're seeing some that are participating in illegal violent protests. They are wearing face coverings. And there was a reason that a law was in place banning these face coverings from being worn under certain circumstances. That law was lifted during COVID because there was a real concern that we wanted to have people wear masks to stop the spread of COVID. 

So it's about using the right modification on the law. If you are in a public safety setting using the subway system, and you're using it for health reasons, you should be allowed to continue to do so. But if you're at a protest yelling and screaming, you're not concerned about your health reason. There's no reason prior to entering a store or establishment that you have to remove your mask or reveal your face for a short period of time. And you can put it back on if you feel a public safety or health reason. All the science has shown that for that short period of time, you are not exposing yourself to COVID or spreading COVID. 

And so I think that we need to come up with the right solution to make sure that we stop the use of masks and illegal criminal violent behavior. Because when you can't see someone's face, someone's eyes, it takes a long time to bring that person to justice. The Police Department, they have been great in bringing people to justice even when they wear masks. But this would accelerate that to prevent them from committing more acts of violence in our city. 

Pastor Straker: Thank you, sir.

Mayor Adams: Thank you. It's a great question.

Giddings: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Audience, if you're just joining us, we have New York City Democratic Mayor Eric Adams here with us. Bring us up to speed with all the latest developments and all latest briefings. Rabbi Cohen, good morning, and how are you?

Rabbi Eli Cohen: Good morning. Good morning, Mr. Mayor. How are you today? 

Mayor Adams: Rabbi, how are you?

Rabbi Cohen: I’m good. 

Mayor Adams: I'm really sad to hear what happened over in Crown Heights. I hope the gentleman is doing well. He was attacked, and it seemed like antisemitic terminologies were used during the attack. But he and his family is in my prayers. 

Rabbi Cohen: Well, thank you so much. I spoke to Mr. Dabrowskin last night, late. He spent all day at the DA's office giving testimony to the grand jury. And fortunately, I believe late last night, an indictment for attempted murder was handed down. 

So this is, it was a big work to get it together, but great work by your Police Department, great work by the DA's office. And also, by the way, a good response from just the bystanders on the street who saw it happen and chased the fellow down and held him for police. So it was a good all-around job, and hopefully he'll face justice. And the young man, I think, will make a speedy recovery. He's out of the hospital. There's no concern right now. They had some kind of surgery to stop the bleeding, but he seems to be okay. So thank God for that. 

And, you know, I was listening in to Pastor Straker's comments. And just a suggestion, I know that in my daughter's school, they have a box where the children can put in their phone when they come into the classroom or into the school or wherever it is, whichever areas you want to limit it. So the phone would be handy near the children for an emergency, but it's in a box that protects it from, you know, that every child has to check in by putting their phone in the box, and that way they have a good system that balances. Because we do know that, as you said, that the influence of phones on these children is really, really pervasive, and it's not always good. So congratulations to you on working on that. And I think you're doing a great job. 

Mayor Adams: And if I could just respond to that, Rabbi. We are looking at what methods schools that currently require cell phones to be either locked up, placed in a box, placed in storage. We're looking at what they're doing, what are the success, the failures, the challenges. So we are taking a very small look at it. As you know, previous administration attempted to ban cell phones, and it fell flat. We don't want to make that same mistake, so we're going to move at the right pace.

Rabbi Cohen: Excellent. I think that's really good, and I think it will be the benefit of the, my wife is a teacher, and, you know, when you have kids sitting in class looking at the cell phone under the desk, that's the most distracting thing, and nobody's learning in that environment. 

Mayor Adams: Yes.

Giddings: Okay. Mayor Adams, we know that you're heading out to the DNC coming up in three days. Well, you've seen this momentum that the Harris-Walz ticket has. What do you think they need to do to keep up that enthusiasm?

Mayor Adams: It's about the level of clarity that they need to show everyday people exactly what Americans are in need of, what Americans need at this time, and it's affordability, public safety. That's at the top of the minds of Americans, not only here in New York, but across the entire country. People are concerned about their future, and, you know, the lack of affordability around housing, around just buying basic supplies. I think the Vice President, VP Harris, who's going to be the presumptive nominee, I think that she's going to bring that clear message. 

And when you look at, you know, just her life story, I mean, think about it. She worked at McDonald's as a child. That's just such a solid message to send, of saying to people, I know what hard times look like, being raised by a single mom, and now being able to ascend to run to be the President of the United States. That's an awesome opportunity. And first woman, first woman with Caribbean heritage, first woman with Indian heritage. I mean, we should be proud as a country that it’s sending the right message globally, that no matter who you are, no matter where you were in life, there's always opportunities for you.

Giddings: Thanks for answering that question, Mayor Adams. And last, before you leave, you've been subpoenaed. Could you tell us a little bit about that before you jump off this morning?

Mayor Adams: Well, you know, there's been an active review of our 2021 campaign, and I've stated from the beginning as a former law enforcement person that we have turned over every document that is asked to look at. We have completely compiled  every document that was requested of us. We've continuously turned over, and we believe the federal government is going to do their review. And I've strongly stated I comply with rules. 

And, you know, from the first time this happened, we've been extremely transparent about making sure if there are documents that's looked at, they're going to see text messages or any other items. We're going to turn it over and walk away. I believe showing that I did nothing wrong. I'm a former law enforcement person. I believe in following the rules, and I've stated over and over again, and our team know that we're going to turn over any information that is needed to come to a swift conclusion in this review.

Giddings: Well, thanks for answering that question, Mayor Adams. I wish you a great weekend, and please, okay, say hello to the folks out there in Chicago at the Democratic convention.

Mayor Adams: I would tell them they need to tune in every day. I mean, every week, you know, through your show, there's a great deal of information, and you have knowledgeable panelists who share much-needed information. Good to see you all, and enjoy your weekend.

Giddings: And you as well.