ROBERT HORNAK
FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE QUEENS REPUBLICAN PARTY
RAHORNAK@GMAIL.COM
Robert Hornak is a veteran political consultant who previously served as deputy director of the Republican assembly leader’s NYC office and as executive director of the Queens Republican Party. He can be reached at rahornak@gmail.com and @roberthornak on X.
There is one basic belief that has been axiomatic in American politics, best expressed in the statement, “I may not believe in what you have to say, but I will fight to the death to protect your right to say it.” Until now.
This simple concept has united people from across the political spectrum who share a love for America, its constitutional principles, and the foundation upon which our society has been built.
But that most basic constitutional principle has been under attack in recent years by a leftwing movement that has picked a line to draw on what they call hate speech. And, it just so happens that line falls around the groups that make up their main interest groups.
This was illustrated perfectly when, early after Vickie Paladino was elected to the City Council (full disclosure I was her 2021 campaign manager), she had her first collision with the City Council’s speech police. In a number of social media posts she objected to what was be- ing called “Drag Queen Story Hour” where local drag queens were being brought into settings with young children to perform their show while also reading books to the children.
Paladino called this out as not being appropriate for children, calling it a form of grooming. For this transgression, she was sanctioned by being kicked off the Council’s Committee on Mental health. A scathing punishment, no doubt.
Well, to paraphrase Ronald Reagan, there she goes again. Now Paladino has posted on her social media – her personal social media – about a percieved conflict between Islamic fundamentalists and Western Judeo- Christian culture. That line that democrats drew is now completely encircling the Muslim community, and any mention of Muslim extremism is labeled as Islamophobic.
In fact, it’s gotten so crazy that now any discussion about the actual growing incidents of hate crimes that target NYC’s Jewish residents is preceded by warnings and instruction about Islamophobia.
Paladino’s posts were referred to the Council Ethics Committee for action. A report was issued, charging her with “disorderly conduct” and citing a number of Paladino’s – again personal – social media posts. These included a post on Dec 14, 2025, in response to a post on the recent massacre of Jews at Bondi Beach, where Paladino said we need to take the threat of global jihad seriously and need to consider a process to denaturalize and deport Muslims before we have another 9/11.
And on Feb 17, 2026 “Affiliation with a terrorist group sure seems like a prerequisite for employment with Zohran’s administration” in response to a post pointing out that Mayor Mamdani’s “new Chief Immigration Officer, Faiza Ali, previously worked for Muslim Brotherhood- linked CAIR” and asked, “Are all of Zohran Mamdani’s appointees connected to terrorist organizations?”
The Council is demanding a response from Paladino, while it prepares to decide how to sanction her. That include anything from sanction, to removal of her remaining committee assignments, a fine, and potentially expulsion from the Council.
Paladino’s response – a lawsuit warning the Council not to sanction her for availing herself of her first amendment right to comment on po- litical issues in the public square.
Of course, the Council is trying to call this as a case of discrimination or harassment in the workplace. They know they are on this ground and this is protected political speech, but some in the Council are demanding action against Paladino for daring to give voice to what some of her constituents believe.
But this was not said “in the workplace” and does not single out any individual nor does it make any threat of violence. And this assumes that Paladino, is an employee of the Council rather than an elected official accountable to the people who elected her and who she serves in her district.
This is a attempt to silence speech that the majority in the Council doesn’t like. It makes them uncomfortable to have these ideas discussed openly, but as every American who cherishes our most fundamental freedoms that make America the country it is, the answer to speech you don’t like is always more free speech.
