Former FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh has stepped down after a turbulent tenure riddled with controversy and discontent among New York’s bravest. Kavanagh, who served less than three years, announced her resignation in July, citing a litany of issues, including a lawsuit over age discrimination and rising tensions with FDNY leadership. Her tenure was marred by scandal and tension with conservative firefighters, as reported by Breitbart.
Back in March, Kavanagh made headlines for all the wrong reasons when she was called out as a “fascist pitbull.” The reason? An investigation into FDNY firefighters who dared to boo and chant “Trump” during a promotional ceremony when Attorney General Letitia James, known for her relentless legal battles against the former president, took the stage. This was clearly an attempt to silence these firefighters for exercising their First Amendment rights—an act that didn’t sit well with many.
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Video footage from the event shows the AG’s dismissive attitude as she told the firefighters to “simmer down” while they voiced their displeasure. Kavanagh, through FDNY Chief of Department John Hodgens, launched an investigation to track down those who participated. In a threatening email obtained by the Daily Mail, Hodgens informed department leaders that the Bureau of Investigation and Trials (BITS) would be identifying the firefighters involved.
“BITS is on this, and they’ll find out who the members are,” Hodgens wrote. “I advise they come forward now because the commissioner has made it clear it will be better for them if we don’t have to hunt them down,” he warned. He instructed deputy chiefs to compile a list of those who complied and submit it directly to FDNY operations, adding that anyone who didn’t come forward would be identified through clear video evidence and contacted by BITS.
An FDNY retiree told the New York Post that firefighters felt they were being “hunted down” for expressing their political views. “It was a political stunt having the AG there. When it blew up in their faces, they unleashed their fascist pit bulls on the guys for simply exercising their First Amendment rights,” the retiree stated, emphasizing that most of the firefighters involved were off-duty and not in uniform.
As the backlash grew, FDNY eventually backed off from the investigation, with spokesperson Jim Long telling Fox News that “nobody is hunting anyone down.” He tried to spin the situation, claiming the inquiry was about upholding professionalism at a department event, not about silencing political views. But the damage was done, and Kavanagh’s grip on the department weakened.
Kavanagh’s resignation was finally announced a few months later, clearing the way for new leadership. On Monday, Mayor Eric Adams appointed Robert Tucker, CEO of T&M USA, as her replacement.
“Public safety has been my life’s work,” Tucker said. “Serving as the fire commissioner of the City of New York is the greatest honor of my career.”
Official Statement from the President of the Uniformed Firefighters Association, Andrew Ansbro, on the appointment of new FDNY Fire Commissioner, Robert Tucker:
“It is great to see that the new commissioner has long and deep ties with the FDNY and a great appreciation for the pic.twitter.com/jMoWshrHik
— FDNY UFA (@UFANYC) August 12, 2024
The FDNY Uniformed Firefighters Association President Andrew Ansbro praised Tucker’s appointment, highlighting his deep ties to the department and his respect for the rank and file. “From his early start in communications and his hard work and life-long dedication, which led to his appointment to the Board of Directors for the FDNY Foundation, his experience makes him uniquely qualified to understand the changes that could be made to improve efficiency in the department by increasing unit availability, which would lead to a decrease in response times.” Ansbro said.
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