New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said his administration is reviewing the press credentials of three individuals who publicly defended murder suspect Luigi Mangione and made inflammatory comments about slain UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan courtroom.
According to The Mirror US, the three individuals, identified as Abril Rios, Ashley Rojas and Lena Weissbrot, were wearing press permits issued by City Hall when they made the controversial remarks Monday.
What did Zohran Mamdani say?
When asked whether the individuals could lose their credentials, Mamdani said the city was reviewing possible action. “As part of the review, we’re going to look into what the immediate next steps are,” he said, according to The Mirror US.
Mangione has been charged with fatally shooting Thompson but has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The comments made outside the courthouse quickly spread online and triggered backlash across social media.
Also Read: Was Luigi Mangione read Miranda Rights before arrest? Evidence dispute takes center stage in trial
What were the controversial comments?
Ashley Rojas said: “F— Brian Thompson. That’s all I want to say. F— Brian Thompson. F— his mom.”
Lena Weissbrot allegedly added that Thompson’s children were “better off without him.” “They need to learn to not be like their dad. And enjoy the blood money, kids,” she reportedly said.
Weissbrot also compared public reactions to Thompson’s death with celebrations following the killing of Osama bin Laden, saying Americans understand “when violence is good,” according to the report.
Meanwhile, Abril Rios questioned gun rights protections in the United States. “I mean, why do we protect the Second Amendment so much; is it to allow people to shoot up schools, or is it to protect our democracy?”
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Revoking press passes
The remarks sparked calls online for the trio’s press permits to be revoked, with some social media users calling the statements “irresponsible” and harmful to Mangione’s legal case.
Others argued that revoking credentials based on personal viewpoints could raise First Amendment concerns.
The comments were also criticized by Mangione’s attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, who distanced her client from the remarks. “These individuals do not represent the views of Luigi,” she said.
City Hall has not announced whether any press credentials have officially been revoked.
