Kari Lake Condemns NYC Fire Department Appointment as ‘Checking Boxes’ Over Merit

Kari Lake, acting CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, criticized New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s decision to appoint Lillian Bonsignore as head of the city fire department on Monday, arguing that professional qualifications—not personal identity—should determine leadership in critical public safety agencies.

Speaking on “Rob Schmitt Tonight,” Lake noted that Bonsignore, who previously managed emergency medical services operations at the FDNY but lacks firefighting experience, would become the first openly gay person to lead the department.

Lake stated, “They want to check the box.” She emphasized that many Americans are frustrated by an overemphasis on identity politics rather than competence and experience.

“Frankly, I don’t care who you’re sleeping with,” Lake said. “I just don’t want to hear about it. And that goes for whether you’re straight or gay.”

Lake added that many Americans, including those who identify as gay, are tired of being defined by sexual orientation rather than professional ability. “I’ve got many friends who happen to be gay,” she noted. “They’re tired of it. They’re tired of just being defined by that.”

Bonsignore’s appointment has drawn attention because FDNY commissioners have traditionally risen through the ranks of firefighting leadership. Although emergency medical services play a vital role in the department, operational firefighting experience has historically been viewed as central to managing the nation’s largest fire department.

Lake argued that the decision does not align with common-sense leadership standards. “The fact that she’s not a firefighter—you know—it just doesn’t make much sense,” she said.

She stressed that public trust depends on hiring leaders based on demonstrated expertise and performance rather than personal characteristics. “Let’s define people by the content of their character, what they do, how they help, how they make improvements and bring improvements to this world rather than what’s going on in their private life in their bedroom,” Lake said.

When asked whether Bonsignore would have received the job without her historic distinction as openly gay leadership, host Rob Schmitt suggested questions might differ. Lake broadened her criticism to a wider cultural trend: “God forbid, in this world, a straight, white male,” she said. “My God, I mean, goodness gracious, they have been demonized.”

Mamdani, a democratic socialist, has defended his transition team’s appointments as reflective of his vision for inclusive leadership as he prepares to take office.