MAGA world ‘heartbroken’ following death of former Trump official and 9/11 hero Bernard Kerik: ‘True American patriot’

Trump world is mourning the loss of the former NYPD commissioner who led the city through the aftermath of 9/11.

Bernard Kerik died on Thursday at the age of 69, after being hospitalized for cardiac disease, the New York Post reports. He was surrounded by friends and family at the time of his death at NewYork-Presbyterian hospital.

Kerik – who served a stint in prison for fraud – was a presence at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort and a steadfast advisor to the president. 

Many in MAGA world shared their memories and condolences, as word spread of Kerik’s untimely death.

‘I’m heartbroken to hear of the passing of Bernard Kerik,’ wrote Camryn Kinsey, who was previously appointed to serve as an ‘external-relations director’ under Trump.

‘He was one of the first people I met when I moved to DC, and quickly became a mentor and a friend,’ she recounted.

‘He didn’t owe me anything, but took the time to guide me, support me and share the kind of wisdom only someone who had lived through history could offer. 

Bernard Kerik died on Thursday at the age of 69, after being hospitalized for cardiac disease

Kerik with President Trump in the Oval Office

Camryn Kinsey gave her heartfelt condolences to the man who ‘became a mentor’

Kinsey said Kerik ‘would spend hours’ helping her ‘think through her grad papers’ 

Kinsey went on to say he ‘carried the weight’ of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center ‘with honor,’ and noted that Kerik helped her as she pursued her master’s degree in national security.

‘His stories, his strength and his love for this country shaped me more than he probably knew,’ Kinsey wrote.

‘He was a true American patriot. I will miss him deeply.’

Kerik was born in Newark, New Jersey on September 4, 1955.

He never finished high school, but earned his General Educational Development certificate before he headed off to serve in the US Army, Fox News reports. 

From there, Kerik worked for a time for the Passaic County Sheriff in New Jersey – and joined the ranks of the NYPD in 1968.

He briefly left the force in 1994, when he joined the Department of Corrections.

After just four years at the department, then-NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani appointed him commissioner of the agency. 

Over the course of his two years in that position, Kerik curbed guards’ sick time abuse and reduced inmate violence. 

Kerik is perhaps best known for leading the NYPD’s response during the September 11 attacks

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani told how Kerik was by his side within 20 minutes of the attack on the World Trade Center

But Kerik really shot to prominence after he was appointed New York City’s police commissioner in 2000, and presided over a 63 percent drop in violent crime.

He then oversaw the NYPD’s response, rescue and recovery efforts during the September 11 attacks.

Reflecting on his work at the NYPD, Giuliani told the Post that Kerik was a ‘true patriot’ and ‘one of the bravest men I’ve ever seen.

‘He became police commissioner when they thought crime couldn’t be reduced any further, yet he reduced it further,’ the former mayor said. ‘His work helped New York become the safest big city in America and a shining example of urban renaissance.

‘Then he faced the worst foreign attack since the War of 1812 on American soil – September 11.

‘He was at my side within 20 minutes of the attack and never left.’

Yet Kerik did step away from his role as the head of the NYPD just a few months later.

By 2003, following the US’s invasion of Iraq, then-President George W. Bush named Kerik to head up a provisional police force in the nation.

Kerik has received multiple honors and commendations over the years

By 2003, following the US’s invasion of Iraq, then-President George W. Bush named Kerik to head up a provisional police force in the nation

Bush also nominated Kerik to serve as the Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security

There, he recruited thousands of police officers and assembled a SWAT team to pursue kidnappers and insurgents.

Around the same time, Kerik also founded Kerik Group – a private crisis and risk management consulting firm whose clients over the years include King Abdullah II of Jordan and the ruling family of the United Arab Emirates. 

Apparently impressed by his work, Bush sought to nominate Kerik to head the newly-established Department of Homeland Security in 2004.

‘Bernie Kerik understands the duties that came to America on September the 11th. The resolve he felt that morning will guide him every day on his job,’ Bush said at the time.

But Kerik’s nomination was short-lived as he withdrew himself from consideration just a few days after, when he admitted to employing an illegal immigrant as a nanny.

The admission sparked a probe into other aspects of Kerik’s life – and it was soon revealed that while he was married with two children, he rented an apartment in Lower Manhattan to conduct an extramarital affair with Judith Regan – who published his best-selling memoir.

The apartment had originally been donated by a developer for use by rescue workers at Ground Zero, the Times reports. 

Kerik’s career came crashing down when he pleaded guilty to criminal charges in 2006

By 2006, Kerik pleaded guilty in the New York State Supreme Court to two misdemeanors involving renovations to his Bronx apartment by a New Jersey construction firm with suspected links to organized crime – and he was $221,000.

Three years later, Kerik also pleaded guilty to eight federal felonies – including charges he evaded taxes on a $225,000 gift for home repairs and made false statements to federal officials when he was being considered for the Homeland Security post.

The former cop – who had once been hailed as ‘America’s Cop’ – then saw his name removed from the Manhattan jail complex that had been rebranded in his honor, and went on to serve four years behind bars before he was pardoned by Trump in 2020.

In the aftermath, Kerik became a vocal critic of the criminal justice system and a staunch Trump ally.

Kerik served four years in prison before he was pardoned by President Donald Trump

Kerik has since become a staunch ally of the president. He is pictured here in 2023 with other Trump supporters waiting for his arrival at Trump National Golf Club

He spread the conspiracy theory that the 2020 presidential election was stolen, and even worked with Giuliani to investigate the claims.

As a result, Kerik was recently grilled by Congress in hearings related to the January 6 Capitol riots, and was subpoenaed to disclose privileged Trump administration documents reportedly linked to the investigation. 

Meanwhile, Kerik wound up serving as a surrogate for the Trump administration on national security issues last year.

He is now being remembered for his accomplishments and patriotism, which earned him an NYPD Medal for Valor, 29 NYPD medals for excellence and meritorious service, a Presidential Commendation from former President Ronald Reagan, two Distinguished Service Awards from the Department of Homeland Security and even an appointment as a Commander of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II.

In a tribute online, FBI Director Kash Patel said Kerik was a ‘warrior, a patriot and one of the most courageous public servants this country has ever known.

‘He was decorated more than 100 times for bravery, valor and service, having rescued victims from burning buildings, survived assassination attempts and brought some of the world’s most dangerous criminals to justice,’ Patel wrote on X.

‘His legacy is not just in the medals of the titles, but in the lives he saved, the city he helped rebuild and the country he served with honor.’ 

Former Trump attorney Alina Habba echoed that sentiment by calling Kerik was a ‘true patriot, fearless leader and devoted friend.

‘Bernard Kerik embodied strength, loyalty and courage every single day,’ she wrote. ‘I’m honored to have known him.’

Many in the Trump world are now mourning his loss

Many in the Trump administration – or who had worked for the commander-in-chief in the past – shared their memories and condolences Thursday night

Trump adviser Roger Stone, meanwhile, called the former cop a ‘great man,’ while FBI former Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos shared how Kerik offered him support during a difficult time for him and his family.

‘The encouragement and positivity he gave us when we had only briefly met before would lead to an indelible memory and life long respect,’ Papadopoulos wrote.

Others shared similar sentiments, with Florida State Representative Meg Weinberger saying Kerik flew down from New York to support her campaign, ‘showing up with heart and humility…

‘That was Bernie – always there when you needed him.’

Kerik is now survived by his wife Hala Matil Kerik and three children.