NYC Mayor Mamdani reportedly excluded from speaking at soldier's funeral

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was reportedly denied the opportunity to deliver a eulogy at the funeral of Army Sgt. Angel Sarah Rampersad in Queens on Friday. Multiple sources cited by the New York Post suggested the soldier's family chose to exclude him from the list of speakers.

Mamdani, who was seated in the fourth row, was observed reviewing prepared remarks on an iPad as other dignitaries, including New York Governor Kathy Hochul, addressed the mourners. The report stated the mayor's name was never called, leading to his apparent frustration as he put away his tablet.

Sources indicated that Rampersad's family, described as supporters of former President Donald Trump, allegedly wished to avoid "political distractions" during the service. This decision was reportedly linked to Mamdani's political positions. City Hall declined to comment on the matter.

Instead of delivering the eulogy, Mamdani's office later released his prepared remarks. In them, he paid tribute to the 28-year-old soldier's sacrifice, stating, "Sergeant Rampersad had tomorrows waiting for her... But she gave every one of them up so that we could have ours."

Rampersad was among three U.S. soldiers killed on July 17 during an Iranian missile attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. A native of Ozone Park, she had graduated from John Jay College of Criminal Justice before joining the U.S. Army. Hundreds of mourners attended her funeral service.

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Sergeant Rampersad had tomorrows waiting for her... But she gave every one of them up so that we could have ours.