Zohran Mamdani, mayor of New York City, was left off the speaker list during the funeral of Army Sergeant Angel Sarah Rampersad. The event took place in Ozone Park, Queens, and the New York Post reported that he did not deliver a eulogy.
Multiple sources indicated that Rampersad's family decided not to include the mayor. During the funeral, Mamdani sat in the fourth row and reviewed his remarks on an iPad.
Governor Kathy Hochul and other officials gave speeches for the mourners. Mamdani, who had written a eulogy, was not called to speak. Afterward, his prepared remarks were released to the public.
The family is reported to be close to former President Donald Trump. They may have wanted to prevent political issues from overshadowing the funeral. Sources say Mamdani's views clashed with the family's, which could have led to the choice.
In the eulogy, Mamdani highlighted Rampersad's sacrifice, quoting, 'She gave every one of them up so that we could have ours.' City Hall did not make any statements about his absence from the speaking order.
Sergeant Rampersad, who was from Ozone Park, was one of three U.S. soldiers killed in a missile attack by Iran on July 17 at a base in Jordan.
Hundreds attended the funeral at Calvary Assembly of God church. The gathering included family, fellow soldiers, and residents. NYPD officers led the casket in a procession to the burial site on Long Island after the ceremony.