New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani speaks at a campaign rally in October 2024.

By Josh Lanier From Daily Voice

New York City Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker has resigned just one day after Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor, sparking speculation about the timing of his departure. Mamdani has previously condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, drawing both national attention and controversy.

Tucker, a Jewish philanthropist and businessman, will step down Dec. 19, according to The New York Post. He plans to return to lead T&M Protection Resources, the private security firm he ran before joining Mayor Eric Adams’ administration in August 2024.

The timing of Tucker’s resignation has raised questions. News of his exit broke as he prepared to travel to Israel to meet with a fire commissioner there, the report said. City officials have not yet announced his replacement. 

Tucker has not commented on his decision to resign, but multiple outlets have speculated that it is over Mamdani's comments on Israel. 

Mamdani, 34, a New York assemblyman, has faced heavy criticism from Jewish advocacy groups and political action committees for his remarks on Israel’s war in Gaza. 

Mamdani called Israel’s tactics a “genocide” and accused the country of creating an apartheid state in Gaza. 

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent after losing the Democratic primary, repeatedly attacked Mamdani over those remarks.

Even former President Donald Trump, who reluctantly endorsed Cuomo in the final days of the race, echoed similar criticism of the Democratic social

“Any Jewish person that votes for Zohran Mamdani, a proven and self professed JEW HATER, is a stupid person,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

That strategy appeared to have paid dividends. A CNN exit poll found that 64 percent of Jewish voters supported Cuomo, while 32 percent backed Mamdani.

Mamdani has maintained that his stance on Israel does not influence his policies for New York City. He has pledged to fight for all New Yorkers and focus on affordability, equity, and housing reform.

Mamdani won the mayoral election on Tuesday, Nov. 4, with 50.4 percent of the vote, effectively ending the Cuomo political dynasty in New York. 

Cuomo earned 41.6 percent, while Republican Curtis Sliwa finished with 7.1 percent. Incumbent Mayor Adams dropped out of the race earlier this year.

Mamdani will be sworn into office Jan. 1, 2026.