Politics
NEW: Jewish FDNY Commissioner Resigns After Mamdani Victory
New York City’s Jewish Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker announced Wednesday morning that he would be resigning following the victory of socialist mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.
Tucker, a Jewish philanthropist and businessman, will step down from the role he has held for just over 12 months on December 19, sources familiar with the matter told the New York Post. He will then be going back to his private security firm T&M, which he led before joining Mayor Eric Adams’ administration, the sources added.
News of Tucker’s resignation came just hours ahead of a scheduled trip to Israel, where he was set to meet with a fire commissioner in the Middle Eastern nation. Tucker’s exact reasoning for resigning was not made immediately clear,
Tucker stepped in to serve as the FDNY’s 35th commissioner in August 2024, replacing Laura Kavanagh, whose tenure was marred by numerous controversies. Outgoing Mayor Adams praised Tucker at the time of his appointment.
“Commissioner Tucker brings decades of experience in protecting public safety to this role, as well as strong personal ties to the FDNY,” he said in a statement last year.
Tucker, 55, founded T&M in 1999. Prior to that, he worked as a special assistant for the Queens District Attorney’s Office.
He’s has also been involved in various charitable endeavors, including serving as secretary of the FDNY Foundation, and has received honors from the New York Board of Rabbis and Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City, The Post noted.
🚨 BREAKING: New York City's Jewish fire commissioner Robert Tucker RESIGNS hours after Zohran Mamdani's election.
A lot more where that came from, New York.
You asked for it. pic.twitter.com/5dMiuRYval
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) November 5, 2025
Mamdani has drawn criticism from Jewish groups over his support for some of the more radical elements of the pro-Palestinian cause. He has repeatedly referred to Israeli operations in Gaza following the October 7 attacks as a “genocide” and has vowed to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should he ever visit the Big Apple for United Nations business or other matters.
He has also faced criticism for associations with radical activists who advance slogans like “Globalize the Intifada” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” though he has also referred to the October 7 attacks as a “war crime” and has stated that his critiques are directed at the Israeli government, not the Jewish people.
Mamdani is set to take office on January 1, 2026.
