FDNY commissioner Robert Tucker announced his resignation on Wednesday following Zohran Mamdani’s electoral victory to become New York City’s next mayor. Tucker, who was appointed by Mayor Eric Adams in August 2024, did not specify the reasons for his departure. In a statement, he expressed gratitude for Adams’ support, stating, “Thank you to Mayor Adams for his trust and confidence in doing this job.” Tucker emphasized his commitment to ensuring an orderly transition before stepping down on December 19, 2025.

The 35th FDNY commissioner, a Jewish philanthropist and businessman, will return to leading his private security firm, T&M, after serving for just over 12 months. His resignation coincided with plans to travel to Israel later that day for meetings with the country’s fire commissioner. Sources indicated Tucker felt he could not continue under Mamdani’s leadership, as the mayor-elect becomes the first Muslim to hold the position. Mamdani, who won 50.6% of the vote in Tuesday’s mayoral election, has faced scrutiny for his critical stance on Israel amid the Gaza conflict but pledged to address antisemitism during his campaign.

Tucker’s tenure followed a turbulent period under his predecessor, Laura Kavanagh, and came as the FDNY faces ongoing challenges managing its $2.6 billion budget and 17,000 employees. The election marked a significant shift in New York City’s leadership, with Mamdani’s victory reflecting broader political realignments.