Mayor statement on Chief Luke paid administrative leave

Tuesday, September 16, 2025 — Yesterday, a social media post by Fire Chief Anthony Luke was brought to my attention. In it, he shared an image of an assault rifle with a caption stating, ‘Bring out the next sacrifice!!’ This post romanticizes gun violence, a matter far too serious in a city where we mourn too many families every week, too many lives cut short, and too many children denied safe sleep in their beds.

I firmly believe in free speech, and the First Amendment protects every individual’s right to express opinions—even those that are unpopular, provocative, or difficult to hear. But with rights come responsibilities, especially for those who hold positions of public trust and leadership. A public safety leader is not just another citizen: they are a standard-bearer for what the City of Cleveland stands for, what we teach our children, and how our neighbors should expect to be treated—and protected.

Chief Luke’s post crossed the line. It was insensitive, it was incendiary, and it did not reflect the values of compassion, unity, and safety that I strive to stand for—and that every public safety leader in this city should embody. We should never glorify violence; we should confront it, heal from it, and work tirelessly to prevent its next occurrence.
Therefore, I am, effective immediately, placing Chief Luke on paid administrative leave pending an investigation. This is not a decision made lightly. Community leaders, public safety personnel, and all citizens of Cleveland deserve leaders who understand the gravity of gun violence and who act in ways that bring us together rather than deepen wounds.