New York Interim Police Commissioner Faces FBI Raid Less Than a Week into Office
The sudden FBI raid on the home of Thomas Donlon, the new interim Police Commissioner of New York City, has sparked widespread discussion among those familiar with the FBI and New Yorkers alike. Local media outlets have been interviewing various individuals for their comments and opinions on the matter. Some believe that this could be targeting the Mayor of New York City, Adams, while others within the police department feel unsettled and ashamed by recent events.
On the night of September 21st, the FBI conducted a search at the residence of the newly appointed interim Police Commissioner of the New York Police Department (NYPD), Thomas Donlon. Donlon promptly released a statement on the official NYPD platform, stating that the FBI took away materials from “over twenty years ago” that have no relevance to his current role in the NYPD, hence the Police Department will not comment on the matter.
However, this experienced former FBI investigator had left the agency over a decade ago and had been working at a private security company before taking up the position of the NYPD interim commissioner. It raises eyebrows that he attracted the attention of the FBI as soon as he assumed his new role. The New York Post reached out to several FBI officials, who all expressed bewilderment at the situation.
“They don’t search your house during background checks,” said a former FBI agent, implying that this search was not a mere routine background check as claimed, but rather something more extreme.
One of the FBI personnel involved in the search informed the Post that they overheard people “laughing it up while torturing Adams,” suggesting that investigations by the Southern District of New York (SDNY) and the FBI into the Mayor Adams administration have become a norm.
According to a report in Politico, a journalist named Jeff Coltin quoted an ally of the Mayor saying, “If the Mayor farts on a street corner and someone complains they smelled it, then an investigation will be launched.”
Furthermore, internal personnel at the NYPD have also weighed in on the matter. Deputy Commissioner of Public Information Tarik Shepherd stated on NY1 TV on Monday, September 23rd, that despite being taken aback by the sudden search on the commissioner, he stands in support of him.
“I was surprised by the news but remain supportive. I am not sure about the details of the situation, but the commissioner has released a statement, clarifying that it has no relation to his new duties, and we should stand by him.” Shepherd said, “I believe he will discuss this with his lawyer and as he said, cooperate with the federal authorities.”
Shepherd also stood in solidarity with other colleagues under investigation, emphasizing that so far, no one has been charged.
“We cannot assume guilt while investigations are ongoing,” he said. “We cannot anticipate the outcome of investigations we are not involved in and cannot fathom the emotions of New Yorkers; our job is to ensure their safety.”
However, some unnamed police officers revealed to amNY that there is a sense of shame and embarrassment within the Police Department over the investigations involving the former commissioner and several high-ranking officials.
Starting this month, a significant number of Mayor Adams’ key allies have had their homes raided by the FBI, including the Police Commissioner, senior police officials, several deputy mayors, and relatives of the Education Commissioner, among others.