November 25, 2025 / 7:25 PM EST / CBS News
Outgoing FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker said ideological differences with mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani were a key factor in his decision to resign.
Tucker, who was appointed commissioner in August 2024, announced his departure the day after Mamdani won the mayoralty. “I don’t want to leave as much unfinished business as I am leaving, but I thought it was the right time to depart,” he told CBS News’ Tony Dokoupil, adding that “ideologically, there’s no doubt that the mayor and I disagree on some very fundamental things to me.”
In his first interview since stepping down, airing Wednesday on CBS Mornings, Tucker discussed how his identity as a Jewish New Yorker influenced his choice to leave. He also said Mamdani will need to do more to win the confidence of first responders.
The full interview with Tucker airs Wednesday on CBS Mornings.