FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker announced his resignation on Wednesday, following the recent mayoral election victory of Zohran Mamdani. Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Kaz Daughtry is also expected to resign soon, according to information obtained by the Daily News. In his email to Mayor Adams, Tucker stated that his final day in office would be December 19, emphasizing his commitment to maintaining leadership within the fire department during the transition period.
Tucker was on his way to Israel to engage with the Israel Fire and Rescue Authority at the time of his resignation announcement. He is expected to address his departure publicly upon his return. An official from the Adams administration indicated that additional resignations from politically aligned aides, including Daughtry, may be forthcoming.
Daughtry, a former NYPD deputy commissioner, has played a significant role as Adams’ top public safety deputy, acting as a crucial liaison between the mayor’s office and the Trump administration. Meanwhile, an FDNY insider revealed that there have been no discussions about Tucker collaborating with Mamdani’s administration, attributing Tucker’s decision to resign in part to perceived ideological differences between himself and the new mayor, a Democratic socialist.
Mamdani, who is 34 and of Muslim faith, made history by becoming New York City’s first Muslim mayor and the youngest mayor in over a century, securing 50% of the vote against former Governor Andrew Cuomo and GOP candidate Curtis Sliwa. Tucker’s resignation marks a notable shift in leadership within the FDNY, as he has served the department and its community in various capacities, including as CEO of a private security firm and a board member of the FDNY Foundation.
This transition comes with the potential for new directions in city governance and public safety under Mamdani’s leadership, suggesting a period of change and adaptation for the city’s fire and safety services.