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FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker Resigns, Citing Ideological Rift with Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani

Robert Tucker, appointed FDNY commissioner in August 2024, resigned the day after Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor, citing ideological differences as a key factor.

In an interview with Tony Dokoupil, Tucker said his identity as a Jewish New Yorker influenced his decision and warned that Mamdani still needs to win the trust of first responders.

The comments highlight early tensions between the outgoing FDNY leadership and the incoming administration.

01:21 PM, 11/26/2025Politics

Outgoing Fire Department of New York (FDNY) Commissioner Robert Tucker announced his resignation the day after Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor, saying deep ideological differences with the mayor-elect helped prompt his decision.

Tucker, who was appointed commissioner in August 2024, said he struggled with leaving unfinished work but ultimately felt it was the right moment to step down. He discussed his reasoning in a sit-down interview with Tony Dokoupil that aired this week.

"I don't want to leave as much unfinished business as I am leaving, but I thought it was the right time to depart," Tucker said. "Ideologically, there's no doubt that the mayor and I disagree on some very fundamental things to me."

Tucker also said his identity as a Jewish New Yorker factored into his decision to resign. He urged the mayor-elect to make a stronger effort to earn the confidence of first responders, saying that winning their support will be important for leadership and public safety in the city.

More of Tucker's interview will be broadcast later this week. Tucker's remarks underscore early tensions between outgoing FDNY leadership and the incoming mayoral administration and raise questions about how the new administration will engage with public-safety officials.

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