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3d ago

Mamdani Defends FDNY Pick as Musk Leads Backlash Over Lack of Firefighting Experience

Unions back 31-year EMS veteran Lillian Bonsignore to take over Jan. 1 despite high-profile criticism.

In November, ahead of the mayoral election, Musk backed Andrew Cuomo on X and criticized both Mamdani and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.
Mamdani named Lillian Bonsignore as FDNY commissioner, marking her as the first openly gay individual and second woman to hold the position
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New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani on December 19, 2025 in New York City.

Overview

  • Elon Musk condemned the choice on X, writing that “people will die” because Bonsignore never served as a firefighter.
  • Mayor‑elect Zohran Mamdani countered that Bonsignore’s 30+ years in EMS match the job’s demands, noting EMS handles roughly 70% of FDNY calls.
  • The three unions representing firefighters, officers, and medics publicly endorsed the appointment, and former commissioner Laura Kavanagh praised the pick.
  • Bonsignore led FDNY EMS through the COVID‑19 surge, served during the 9/11 response, retired in 2022, and would be the first openly gay commissioner and the second woman to lead the department.
  • Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams named Mark Guerra to oversee the department through the end of his term after Robert Tucker’s resignation, with Bonsignore set to assume command when Mamdani is sworn in.