Illinois Firefighters Disciplined Over Trump Photo

Four Evanston, Illinois firefighters have been disciplined in the aftermath of a firehouse photo depicting them wearing Trump masks in January. The photo was reportedly taken on inauguration day, January 20, 2025, at Station 3 and circulated in social media with the comment “Our Fire Department all celebrating the inauguration in matching Trump masks.”

An investigation confirmed the details of what occurred and the violation of a prohibition against engaging in political activities while on city property. The discipline ranged from reprimands to suspensions. Following the incident, IAFF Local 742 made a public apology at a city council meeting on January 27, 2025. Local President Billy Lynch told the council and the public:

• I want to set the record perfectly straight that we are not the racist, bigoted, sexist, uneducated fools as has been described and portrayed on blogs, forums and social media.
• When someone calls 911, I want to offer firm confidence and reassurance that we will answer that call, we will fix problems no matter how big or small, and we will have no other consideration in mind other than to make someone’s life better.

Judging from the comments left on the Evanston Roundtable, not everyone was satisfied with the apology or the punishments. Those comments include:

• Apparently these firefighters never heard the maxim: “Actions speak louder than words”. Trust has to be earned. They dug a deep hole I hope they can climb out of— to a higher level of consciousness.
• I don’t see any daylight between the president of the union saying “we are not racist, bigoted, sexist, uneducated fools” while they publicly celebrated the election of a racist, bigoted, sexist, uneducated fool.
• The incident clearly had backing in that station on that shift. Just baldly stating FD personel [sic] are nice professional guys who made a mistake (four acting out and how many more behind them?) doesnt carry much credibility.
• Mr. Lynch did not apologize for the actions of the 4 fire-fighters. He read part of their code that declares what wonderful people they and then spend much of his time attacking the citizens who found the offensive behavior, well offensive.
• Support a felon and adjudicated rapist if you want, but to aggressively do so while in uniform and on duty as a City employee of EFD smacks of a clueless sense of entitlement and impunity.
• Veeeery soft response (in word and action) that isn’t doing anything to improve either percepotions [sic] or realities — especially in our community.

However, many in the community also came to the firefighters’ defense.

• All out of proportion faux outrage reaction to the mask silliness is a reminder of the intolerant and totalitarian mindset of today’s “progressive” left. Off with their heads! How sad.
• I found it to be a perfectly fine apology considering he doesn’t really owe one. People who are only mad because it’s not a mask of their guy don’t deserve an apology.

More on the story.