During New York City Hall turmoil, another prominent commissioner contemplated departure
Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol had been indicating his possible exit to those outside the organization.
TroibNews 
NEW YORK — Another high-ranking official in Mayor Eric Adams’ administration has recently contemplated leaving amid the ongoing federal corruption investigations surrounding the mayor's inner circle.
Zach Iscol, New York City’s emergency management commissioner, confided in several individuals his intentions to resign this fall, according to three sources familiar with his deliberations. They requested anonymity to discuss a sensitive personnel issue.
As emergency management commissioner, Iscol oversees the city's response to hurricanes and other natural disasters. However, he seems to be growing frustrated with the man-made crises currently affecting the mayor’s administration. This frustration was evident in leaked audio where he expressed concerns to his senior staff, stating that the situation "could undermine public safety."
“This is not good,” he said in the recording obtained by The Associated Press. “There’s a lot going on in the city and the thing that I’m most concerned about is city leadership being distracted.“
When asked directly about his possible resignation, Iscol did not provide a clear answer.
“I know there’s a lot of rumors going around,” he told PMG. “This is what I can tell you: I love New York. I’ll always do what I think is best for New Yorkers. This is a time where we really need leadership. Between hurricane season and the upcoming election and everything else we have going on in the city, I’m focused on doing my job as the emergency management commissioner.”
A wealthy and charismatic former U.S. Marine with extensive national political connections, Iscol is well-regarded among the mayor and other officials in the administration. He was appointed to his position following an unsuccessful bid for city comptroller in 2021.
The news of his potential departure surfaced shortly after PMG reported that New York City Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan had submitted his resignation letter and intends to leave later this year.
After this article was published, Iscol took to X to clarify, stating, “I am not planning on leaving.”
Within the hour, he followed up with another post acknowledging that while PMG’s story “is accurate that I’ve had a number of conversations about this, but have decided the right thing to do is stick around.”
Joe Anuta contributed to this report.
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
Zach Iscol, New York City’s emergency management commissioner, confided in several individuals his intentions to resign this fall, according to three sources familiar with his deliberations. They requested anonymity to discuss a sensitive personnel issue.
As emergency management commissioner, Iscol oversees the city's response to hurricanes and other natural disasters. However, he seems to be growing frustrated with the man-made crises currently affecting the mayor’s administration. This frustration was evident in leaked audio where he expressed concerns to his senior staff, stating that the situation "could undermine public safety."
“This is not good,” he said in the recording obtained by The Associated Press. “There’s a lot going on in the city and the thing that I’m most concerned about is city leadership being distracted.“
When asked directly about his possible resignation, Iscol did not provide a clear answer.
“I know there’s a lot of rumors going around,” he told PMG. “This is what I can tell you: I love New York. I’ll always do what I think is best for New Yorkers. This is a time where we really need leadership. Between hurricane season and the upcoming election and everything else we have going on in the city, I’m focused on doing my job as the emergency management commissioner.”
A wealthy and charismatic former U.S. Marine with extensive national political connections, Iscol is well-regarded among the mayor and other officials in the administration. He was appointed to his position following an unsuccessful bid for city comptroller in 2021.
The news of his potential departure surfaced shortly after PMG reported that New York City Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan had submitted his resignation letter and intends to leave later this year.
After this article was published, Iscol took to X to clarify, stating, “I am not planning on leaving.”
Within the hour, he followed up with another post acknowledging that while PMG’s story “is accurate that I’ve had a number of conversations about this, but have decided the right thing to do is stick around.”
Joe Anuta contributed to this report.
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
