FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker Quits Hours After Mamdani Wins Mayoral Election

New York City Fire Department Commissioner Robert Tucker submitted his resignation Wednesday, one day after Zohran Mamdani won the city’s mayoral race, the department confirmed to Newsmax.

Tucker will leave the post Dec. 19, ending a 16-month tenure that began with his August 2024 appointment by Mayor Eric Adams, the outlet reported. The department did not cite a reason. His exit lands amid contention surrounding Mamdani’s association with pro-Palestinian activists and accusations that he has failed to adequately condemn antisemitism, as well as a broader post-election shakeup at City Hall, according to Bloomberg. (RELATED: Zohran Mamdani Ducks And Weaves When Asked To Condemn Term Calling For Killing Jews)

“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as the 35th New York City Fire Commissioner,” Tucker said in a statement to Newsmax. “Between now and then, I will continue to lead the greatest fire department in the world and will ensure an orderly transition.”

FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker resigning – effective 12/19 pic.twitter.com/i7Es9HMsqK

— Steven Bognar (@Bogs4NY) November 5, 2025

Mamdani, a 34-year-old Queens assemblyman, won Tuesday’s election over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. He is set to take office Jan. 1.

Tucker, a longtime security executive and FDNY Foundation board member before joining Adams’ administration, was tapped in 2024 to calm turmoil inside the department following Laura Kavanagh’s rocky stint. Politico reported at the time that union leaders welcomed his political and administrative chops despite his non-firefighting background.

Multiple outlets reported Wednesday that Tucker’s departure was delivered “first thing” in the morning, with the New York Post adding he intends to return to the private security firm he led prior to City Hall.

Tucker’s statement did not tie his resignation to the election results.