In a memo obtained by the New York Post, top New York City officials are slamming pro-Trump firefighters who booed state Attorney General Letitia James during a raucous promotion ceremony. It became clear that
The memo, distributed at Big Apple fire stations on Sunday, says fire department investigators are reviewing video footage of last week’s Brooklyn event to determine who was behind the “highly inappropriate” behavior. warns firefighters to keep politics at home.
“Feel whatever you want about politicians during off-duty hours,” the document said. “Vote. Protest. It’s your right. But don’t do it during work time, other members’ time, or family time. Do it on your own time.”
The memo also emphasized that the department’s Bureau of Investigation and Prosecution is pursuing criminals, echoing an email sent by Director John Hodges on Saturday.
Sunday’s memo said firefighters “should understand that BITS is collecting video to identify members who have brought disrepute to the fire department.” “We want our members to come forward. They will come to headquarters to be educated. [on] Why are their actions unacceptable? ”
The memo also said the ministry’s reputation with the ceremony’s organizers had been tarnished, adding: “We may no longer have that venue.”
The controversy stems from a department ceremony Thursday at the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn, where as Mr. James made his way to the podium, a crowd that included captains, battalion chiefs, and the families of civilians seeking promotions appeared. jeered loudly.
“Oh, come on,” James said to the crowd. “We are in the house of God. First we boil it down.
“Thank you for getting it out of my system.”
As James continued his speech, the boos quickly turned into chants in support of former President Donald Trump.
“Trump! Trump! Trump! Trump!” the crowd roared.
The AG famously won a $454 million civil fraud judgment against Trump last month, convincing a judge that the former president had inflated the value of his New York holdings to defraud banks and investors. is.
Trump is appealing the decision.
But the display at the ceremony displeased Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh, who launched an investigation to track down the offending firefighters.
Meanwhile, Uniformed Firefighters Association president Andrew Ansbro said the violence at the ceremony was “disappointing” but said the union would always support its members.
“We’re all kind of disappointed in what happened. It wasn’t a political event,” Ansbro told the Sunday Post. “Letitia James has always been a friend of UFA. “It was a shame. It was inside a church. That’s not the place to do that.
“Some members took the opportunity to express their beliefs. There was neither time nor space to do so.”
But Ansbro added: “We will vigorously defend members facing disciplinary action.”
In a separate message, the Uniformed Fire Officers Association, which represents lieutenants, firefighters and other officers, called for caution for those who may be accused in the incident.
“We advise all members to abide by the department’s rules and regulations during these visits and any subsequent investigation resulting from the investigation,” the message reads.
“However, if a member feels that they are the subject of an investigation due to the nature of a particular question, they must immediately notify UFOA and request representation. The investigation should not continue.”
FDNY spokesman Jim Long said Saturday that the department’s investigation into the raucous ceremony is not about politics, but rather about “professionalism at official events.”
“No one is chasing anyone down,” Long said.
But at least one city politician thinks the FDNY’s top brass is out of line.
“Everyone should enjoy their First Amendment rights, whether they are city employees or not,” City Councilmember Joanne Arriola, who chairs the Fire and Emergency Management Committee, said Sunday.
“I commend the UFOA for its swift action on this issue,” Arriola said. “They have done exactly what unions are supposed to do: They are speaking out and providing representation to those who need it.
“Kudos to them for stepping up to the plate and protecting the members.”
