Controversy has erupted over the FDNY's response to firefighters who booed New York Attorney General Letitia James, referred to as "psyho-AG" by critics, during a ceremony, prompting FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh to initiate an investigation to identify and 'educate' the involved firefighters. Critics, including political figures and public commentators, argue that the investigation and potential reprimand of off-duty firefighters for expressing political opinions, including cheering for Trump, is an overreach and threatens free speech, especially since the firefighters were not in uniform. The situation, described by some as actions of "Marxist Democrats" and likened to "Soviet Union" tactics, has raised questions about the balance between professional conduct and First Amendment rights, with entities like @UFANYC and @UFOA854 being involved. FDNY spokesman Jim Long's comments to Fox News Digital and inquiries into whether the FDNY administration violated @NYCCOIB laws or others have intensified the debate. Calls for support from figures like Rep. Nicole Malliotakis and suggestions for firefighters to "strike" highlight the widespread concern over the suppression of political expression.
BREAKING: FDNY announces new regulation forbidding firefighters from saving people in burning buildings unless they first pledge allegiance to Letitia James.
EXCLUSIVE: Anti-Trump, Pro-Letitia James NYC Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh @FDNYFC is a Rabid Hillary Clinton Supporter and Donor to @JoeBiden and Obama https://t.co/TdC5xoSAaW
The attempt to punish these firefighters – who were exercising their First Amendment right to protest a blatantly partisan AG – is un-American. https://t.co/pkWByQi1TS
I’m curious to know the results of the @FDNY’s last investigation into heckling at their promotional ceremony. Was there one? https://t.co/s6gMYT8W6Y
Also, left unsaid but noteworthy: Whether you like AG James or not, she got heckled like any other politician and handled it with composure… she isn’t the one asking the FDNY thought police to ‘hunt down anyone.’ Why are they? https://t.co/0Gshk8WFRo
Everyone should be entitled to their First Amendment rights, city worker or not. I applaud the quick action of @UFOA854 on this matter... they put the word out, and they are providing representation to anyone who needs it. https://t.co/LONKl7MF3p
Attorney General Letitia James has been setting our justice system on fire, and members of the @FDNY called her out. Our country affords us the freedom of speech whether Democrats like it or not. https://t.co/mcgJzajExM
Fox News' Jonathan Turley Defends Letitia James Against FDNY Boo Birds and Gets Praised for It by Harris Faulkner: 'That's Brilliant!' https://t.co/OOv6h77z8p
This is a 'disturbing' attempt to retaliate against freedom of speech: Rep. Nicole Malliotakis | https://t.co/dCwOE1fVtl @Morningsmaria @FoxBusiness
VIP ==> FDNY Chief Will Hunt Down and Re-Educate Those Who Committed Sin of Booing AG James, Cheering Trump https://t.co/31nJjJG8rL
If one FDNY firefighter is reprimanded for booing the NYS attorney general the entire department should stand in solidarity and strike. Let the fucking city burn.
If one FDNY firefighter is reprimanded for booing the NYS attorney general the entire department should stand n solidarity and strike. Let the fucking city burn.
Letitia James is trying to burn down our justice system: Rep. Nicole Malliotakis https://t.co/CFS3GAwsiw
Oh look! It’s @FDNYFC NYC Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh and @HillaryClinton hanging out praising each other. This is the same Laura Kavanagh who is now trying to hunt down the NYC fire fighters who booed the anti-Trump, NY AG @TishJames the other day at a ceremony.… https://t.co/QHoKnMyD1J https://t.co/dsnQBmcSaw
If a member of @FDNY disagrees with the ideologies of Communist Commissioner Laura Kavanagh @FDNYFC, she may “hunt” you down. No surprise though. A quick look at her political donations shows that she is a big Biden, Obama, and Democrat donor. Tish James is a Biden operative… https://t.co/CgEEXPuU4n https://t.co/GcqCQceTgw
Meet Laura Kavanagh, the Fire Commander of the New York City Fire Department and the woman who started the investigation into firefighters who booed Letitia James and chanted for Trump. She was appointed by Mayor Eric Adams and has never been a firefighter herself. She’s… https://t.co/wYHWBMrvdn
It’s unclear what the “policy” is that the firefighters are alleged to have violated, or even that attending award ceremonies as backdrop for partisan hacks like Letitia James is a job duty, but there are lawyers standing by to redress any violations of the 1st. Amendment here. https://t.co/z1ZmJE3Jdu
First, a Gold Star father who shouted the name of his son killed in Afghanistan withdrawal was arrested at State of the Union. Now, FDNY bosses want to reprimand firefighters who booed Tish James & cheered Trump at a ceremony. 1st Amendment is NOT only for those you agree with.
Letitia James should be disbarred. She prosecutes Trump baselessly. She goes after meat producers in the name of fighting climate change. Now the FDNY firefighters who dared to boo her & exercise their First Amendment rights are being punished. This is un-American. https://t.co/f35TJnRDSc
So the question for @NYCMayor — Do you support NYC employees exercising even the most benign expressions of free speech? https://t.co/gdE1lOL47s
The FDNY Commissioner has launched an investigation to hunt down and "educate" a group of staffers who booed New York AG Letitia James and cheered for Trump on Thursday. Because apparently free speech isn't a thing anymore. DETAILS: https://t.co/V8PS7toUbX https://t.co/Q5M2OWqRZv
To be clear, the real Q is whether FDNY admin violated @NYCCOIB laws, or others, by using threatening language to retaliate & suppress off-duty employees (& their families!) on personal time expressing political opinions in a traditional way, however rude it may have been (1/2) https://t.co/0Gshk8XdGW
“Nobody is hunting anyone down," FDNY spokesman Jim Long told Fox News Digital. Also: “We’re looking into those who clearly broke department regulations.” And They “will figure out who those members are." And "I recommend they come forward. I have been told by the… https://t.co/vxV47R68oa
When our founding fathers wrote the bill of rights, they did not include a provision in the first amendment that would preclude Letitia James from being heckled. These valiant men and women of the FDNY were engaging in protected expression. Let us be clear, this is an… https://t.co/7KSOQeQ7wV
Targeting off-duty employees for sharing their opinions is concerning. It's not as if these people are shutting down bridges or streets; they're exercising their rights outside of work. Using gov resources in this manner is problematic & resembles tactics from the Soviet Union. https://t.co/YqvC2XpxLJ
Hunting down firefighters who heckled Letitia James? It’ll be ‘better for them’ if they turn themselves in? I’m sorry but what? Letitia James isn’t the Queen, and we have a first amendment. These men were not in uniform, they were not violent or disruptive, and they had every…
This is disgusting. I encourage all @FDNY firefighters to leave New York and transfer to a department that will have your back and support your First Amendment rights. https://t.co/c56VmYYkPT
First Amendment rights aren’t only for some. As we watch thousands of protesters across our city shouting vile and violent rhetoric on a daily basis, our First Responders should not be held accountable for exercising their First Amendment rights. @UFANYC @UFOA854 @FDNY…
First Amendment rights aren’t only for some. As we watch thousands of protesters across our city shouting vile and violent rhetoric on a daily basis, our First Responders should not be held accountable for exercising their Amendment rights. @UFANYC @UFOA854 @FDNY…
1/3 As someone hailing from the Former Soviet Union this is incredibly freighting. Since when are we “hunting down” & investigating firefighters for expressing their political disappointment of an attorney general while mostly off duty and out of uniform? https://t.co/av1DNJvXUW
The Marxist Democrats in NYC are going to punish and "re-educate" the brave patriots at the FDNY for daring to express their free speech rights for booing the psyho-AG there. https://t.co/lOFmnk2y0h
This was a ceremony to celebrate the achievements and heroics of members of the FDNY. Perhaps “leadership” should not have invited speakers that do promote policies and laws that get their bothers and sisters killed SAY HER NAME @TishJames : ALLISON RUSSO… https://t.co/OcgvEXbd9t
FDNY commissioner Laura Kavanagh was a PR flack who worked for WFP candidates including de Blasio. Her appointment to head the FDNY is absurd—it’s like making Karine Jean Pierre the President of the US. She’s just a political hack. https://t.co/aHFNhAknxo