FDNY Commissioner Who Resigned Cites Jewish Faith After Mamdani’s Mayoral Win

Former New York Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker, who resigned a day after Zohran Mamdani won the mayoral election, says his decision was influenced by his Jewish faith. Tucker will appear Wednesday on CBS News to discuss his departure.

Tucker, a Jewish philanthropist and businessman, told CBS Mornings that he was turned off by the mayor-elect’s campaign, citing concerns over Mamdani’s positions on Israel and his democratic socialist agenda.

“I think the whole campaign really reflected that for me,” Tucker said in an excerpt released ahead of the interview. He added that Mamdani has work to do to win the confidence of New York City’s first responders.

Tucker submitted his resignation to Mayor Eric Adams shortly after Mamdani, a Muslim state lawmaker from Queens, defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo on November 4. He will officially step down on December 19 and return to his private security firm, T&M USA, which he headed prior to joining the FDNY.

Mamdani’s anti-Israel rhetoric during the campaign raised concerns in the city’s Jewish community, and Tucker’s departure highlights the unease among some officials over the incoming administration’s policies.