The New York City firefighters’ union has expressed concerns over potential disciplinary measures against its members following an incident at a fire department ceremony. During the event, state Attorney General Letitia James was booed and a pro-Donald Trump chant erupted.
As she addressed a department promotions ceremony in Brooklyn, the Democrat faced a chorus of jeers. Just last month, her office had won a $355 million penalty against the former Republican president for lying about his wealth.
In an internal note that has been widely shared on social media, fire officials have labeled the behavior as “grossly inappropriate” and have expressed their disappointment over the disrespect shown towards fellow firefighters and their supporters who were present at the special occasion.
Employees in the department are encouraged to express their political beliefs, but the note emphasized that it should not be done during working hours.
On Thursday, the department held a ceremony that was not political in nature. James attended the event not to deliver a political speech, but to show his support for Rev. Pamela Holmes as she took the oath of office as the department’s first Black female chaplain.
“When you’re off duty, you can have any opinion you want about politicians,” the note stated. “You have the right to vote and protest. However, it’s important to remember not to engage in these activities while on duty, or during the time of your fellow colleagues or their families. Reserve these actions for your own personal time.”
Authorities are also encouraging individuals who participated in the chants to step forward, as video footage of the incident is currently being analyzed by department investigators.
Andrew Ansbro, the president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association, which represents approximately 8,500 active firefighters, expressed his disappointment at the taunts. He emphasized that such behavior was unfortunate, especially considering that James has been a staunch supporter of firefighters throughout the years.
According to him, promotion ceremonies often have a lively and festive atmosphere, where individuals celebrate with the sound of air horns and occasionally dress up in costumes.
FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanaugh faced significant backlash at a particular event last year. Surprisingly, the department did not witness any uproar or demands for re-education, according to Ansbro.
“We are worried that all of our members will face disciplinary action for this,” he expressed concern. He pointed out that despite the heckling, the top officials present on Thursday did not intervene.
Ansbro emphasized the importance of the department convening and establishing clear guidelines while involving the unions. This collaborative effort will ensure the protection of workers’ rights.
The FDNY and James’ office spokespersons did not address the union’s concerns on Monday.
In an email, Amanda Farinacci, spokesperson for the FDNY, stated that the incident on Thursday is currently being investigated. She also mentioned that fire chiefs took the opportunity to visit firehouses during the weekend to reiterate the importance of displaying appropriate behavior during department ceremonies.
Retired Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz, who had been a member of then-President Trump’s legal team during his 2020 impeachment trial, expressed doubt about the department’s assertion that the firefighters’ actions were inappropriate.
In an email on Monday, he stated, “When a politician speaks, it is considered a political event and booing is protected by the Constitution.”
