New York Attorney General Letitia James faced a hostile reception during her speech at an FDNY promotion ceremony on Thursday, as the crowd booed and chanted "Trump" in support of the former president. The event, held at the Christian Cultural Center's Brooklyn Campus, was intended to honor 65 uniformed members from Fire Operations, EMS Operations, and the Bureau of Fire Investigation being promoted, as well as the swearing-in of the Rev. Pamela Holmes as FDNY chaplain.
As James took the podium, the audience, made up of the families of captains, battalion chiefs, and civilians up for promotion, along with their fellow firefighters, began to jeer. "Oh, come on. We're in a house of God. First, uhm, simmer down," James said, attempting to pacify the crowd. "Thank you for getting it out of your system."
Despite her efforts to continue her speech, the booing quickly turned into chants of "Trump, Trump, Trump, Trump." James, whose office recently won a $454 million civil fraud judgment against the former president, pushed forward with her remarks, praying for "those men and women who exemplify true courage," including those who might be booing her.
The crowd's reaction was linked to the recent case against Trump, which the 2024 GOP presidential frontrunner has claimed amounted to a politically motivated "witch hunt." An anonymous Brooklyn firefighter who attended the event told The Post, "She has no problem, bragging that she convicted Trump, so this is how hard-working New Yorkers, who put their life on the line, feel about her actions."
James' attendance at the promotion ceremony broke from tradition, as the elected official historically invited to speak has been the mayor. FDNY Chief of Department John Hodgens called the taunts an "embarrassment" and "not befitting of the world's best fire department," emphasizing that the ceremony was about celebrating the accomplishments of the members being promoted.
Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung criticized James as "an embarrassment to the people of New York," stating that the FDNY's rank and file know they have no greater friend than President Trump. "The President is honored by, and grateful for their very vocal support," Cheung added.
The civil fraud judgment against Trump, which includes interest, requires him to pay $454 million to stay the judgment while he appeals the case. A Manhattan judge found Trump, his two sons, and his company liable for inflating the value of assets on financial statements to banks and insurers. This week, Trump told Fox News that he doesn't "worry about money" and has "a lot of money" to do what he wants.
An appeals court has allowed Trump to remain at the helm of the family company and apply for loans from Empire State banks to help post the bond. However, James has vowed to ask a judge to seize Trump's assets, including some of his prized Big Apple properties, if he fails to get the judgment stayed and doesn't pay what he owes.
The incident at the FDNY promotion ceremony highlights the deep political divide and the strong feelings surrounding the legal battles between Letitia James and Donald Trump. As the 2024 presidential race heats up, the tensions between the New York Attorney General and the former president are likely to remain a focal point of public discourse.
The FDNY leadership's admonishment of the firefighters' behavior during the ceremony underscores the importance of maintaining professionalism and respect, even in the face of political disagreements. As the legal proceedings against Trump continue to unfold, the impact on public opinion and the political landscape will be closely watched by supporters and critics alike.
