FDNY Commissioner cites 'fundamental differences' with Mamdani as reason for resignation

Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News on Nov 26, 2025

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NEW YORK — FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker revealed the reasoning behind his resignation Wednesday, saying he quickly realized he had “fundamental differences” with Zohran Mamdani that would make it a challenge to work in the new mayoral administration.

“There are things that I have heard (Mamdani) say that would make it difficult for me to continue on in such a senior executive role,” Tucker said in an interview with “CBS Mornings,” adding that his Jewish faith played a role in his decision to resign the day after Mamdani won the election.

“I think it’s a factor, no doubt,” Tucker said about his faith. “I don’t want to tell you it’s the only factor.”

“It’s a complicated emotional decision to leave,” he added. “But ideologically there’s no doubt that the mayor and I disagree on some very fundamental things to me.”

Tucker, a Zionist and supporter of Israel, felt he wouldn’t mesh well with the democratic socialist Mamdani and his team. Mamdani came under fire during the election for statements and positions that were seen by some as antisemitic.

Twelve hours after Mamdani’s victory over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, Tucker emailed his resignation letter to Mayor Adams, informing him that his last day will be Dec. 19.

“Between now and then, I will continue to lead the greatest fire department in the world and will ensure an orderly transition,” Tucker wrote in his letter, which was obtained by The News.

The night he sent the letter, Tucker flew to Israel to take part in an already scheduled tour of firefighting agencies there.

While Mamdani has said that he wants to “cherish” Jewish New Yorkers, Tucker said that “more importantly than hearing it, we want to see” his support.

The fire commissioner pointed at the incoming mayor’s response to last week’s protest at the Park East Synagogue where protesters screamed “Globalize the Intifada” and “Death to the IDF” close to the house of worship’s front door with congregants inside.

“The mayor-elect has discouraged the language used at last night’s protest and will continue to do so,” a spokeswoman for the transition team said, also taking a swipe at the synagogue for hosting an event the night of the protest promoting migration to Israel that could include settlements in occupied territories.

“He believes every New Yorker should be free to enter a house of worship without intimidation, and that these sacred spaces should not be used to promote activities in violation of international law,” the spokeswoman said.

Tucker felt that Mamdani “could have come out very quickly and condemn the behavior and some of the rhetoric,” following the protest, he said Wednesday.

“I’m less worried about what he didn’t do and more worried about him realizing the enormity of his job,” Tucker added.

On Saturday, NYPD Commissioner Tisch visited the synagogue to apologize for the department’s handling of the protest.

“(One of our jobs) that night was to ensure that people could easily enter and leave shul,” she told the congregation. “That is where we fell short. And for that, I apologize to this congregation.”

Tucker is the CEO of a private security company and a longstanding member of the board of directors of the FDNY Foundation, the department’s official not-for-profit organization.

In August 2024, he was picked to replace outgoing FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh — who was appointed in 2022 by Adams as the first woman to serve in the top spot since the department’s 1865 creation.

As he prepares his departure, Tucker said that neither Mamdani or anyone on his transition team has reached out to talk about future plans for the agency and his replacement.

“I only hope that is not an indicator of their feelings about the FDNY,” he joked. “I’d like to think they think that everything is going so well here they don’t need to transition so fast.”