FDNY leaders slammed for threatening to go after firefighters who chanted 'Trump' at Letitia James' speech

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh and FDNY Chief of Department John Hodgens found themselves at the center of controversy after announcing plans to 'hunt down' firefighters who booed New York Attorney-General Letitia James. 

The incident occurred during a New York Fire Department promotion ceremony at the Christian Cultural Center's Brooklyn Campus on Thursday, March 7.

Disruption at FDNY ceremony

Attorney-General James, invited to speak at the event honoring The Rev Pamela Holmes, faced jeers and chants of 'Trump' from a section of the audience before her speech even began.

Despite James' attempts to calm the situation, the disruption persisted, drawing attention from both attendees and department officials.

FDNY Chief of Department John Hodgens promptly initiated an investigation through the Bureau of Investigation and Trials (BITS) to identify the individuals involved. In an email to department leaders, Hodgens called for voluntary disclosure to avoid potential repercussions.

"BITS is investigating this, so they will figure out who the members are," Hodges wrote on Saturday, March 9. "I recommend they come forward. I have been told by the commissioner it will be better for them if they come forward and we don't have to hunt them down."

"The [deputy chiefs] shall direct the captain of the company to make a list of those who come forward and send it directly to [FDNY operations]. I realize members might not come forward but they should know that there is clear video of the entire incident and they will be contacted by BITS if they don't," he added.

The Uniformed Fire Officers Association also cautioned its members about the ongoing investigation, stressing compliance with FDNY regulations and offering legal representation if necessary. "As part of this discussion, questions may be asked to specific UFOA members over their actions or their recollections," they said.

James, known for leading a civil fraud case against former President Donald Trump, faced further backlash as the disruption persisted.

"Come on, we're in a house of God... simmer down... thank you for getting it out of your system," James said ahead of her speech. However, her calls were ignored, with many loudly chanting "Trump! Trump! Trump! Trump!"

Despite her efforts to acknowledge the firefighters' past assistance, the atmosphere remained contentious.

"Pray for those firefighters who stood with me when my mother was dying, and they worked on her for an hour in my house, not knowing who I was," she said. "I thank those members of FDNY who worked on her body and prayed over her body when she died. Some may even be here. Some might even be booing me. But nonetheless, I pray for them."

One FDNY firefighter criticized the department's response, denouncing it as heavy-handed and an infringement on First Amendment rights.

"It was a political stunt for the city to have the AG there. When it backfired, they sent their fascist pit bulls after guys for exercising their First Amendment rights," he told the New York Post anonymously. "Most were off-duty and not in FDNY uniform."

Constitutional law attorney Alan Dershowitz echoed this sentiment, asserting firefighters' constitutional right to express their opinions without fear of reprisal.

"Firefighters have an absolute constitutional right to boo the attorney general, and the government has no power to punish them for it," Dershowitz told the Post. "So efforts to get the names of the booers is an effort by the government to chill free speech and is unconstitutional."

In response, FDNY Chief Hodgens condemned the disruptive behavior, labeling it an embarrassment to the department.

"The ceremony was about one thing: the accomplishments of the members being promoted," he said. "The members whose behavior distracted from that celebration were an embarrassment and not befitting of the world's best fire department."

However, Trump's election campaign defended the hecklers, portraying James as "an embarrassment" to New Yorkers and praising the vocal support for the former president. "The rank and file of the FDNY know they have no greater friend than president Trump. The president is honored by, and grateful for their very vocal support," it said.

Social media backlash

The ceremony, intended to honor 65 promoted members and Reverend Pamela Holmes, was overshadowed by the incident, drawing widespread criticism against James and FDNY bosses on social media.

"Was the current commissioner ever a real firefighter or just a a female hire?" one posted on X.

"FDNY boss needs to realize there are still some of us who believe we are free people," another wrote.

"Letitia James got a Bronx welcome... She SUCKS... We [love] and support the FDNY," a comment read.

"She deserves it. Karma is coming for all of these hacks," someone else offered.

"This will not go the way they think it will," another chimed in.