New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani attended the July 31, 2026, funeral for Army Sgt. Angel Sarah Rampersad in Queens but was not called to speak. Family sources cited a desire to avoid political distractions during the service for the soldier killed in Jordan.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani Excluded From Speakers List at Queens Funeral
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani attended the service at a church in Ozone Park on Friday, July 31, 2026, but did not deliver remarks honoring U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Angel Sarah Rampersad. Seated in the fourth row, the mayor was observed reviewing prepared remarks on an iPad while other local and state dignitaries were invited to the podium.
According to reports citing multiple attendees, Mr Mamdani appeared visibly frustrated as the ceremony progressed, glancing toward his staff before putting his tablet away once it became clear he would not be called. A source familiar with the planning stated that Rampersad’s family chose not to include the mayor in an effort to avoid any political distractions
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Family Intentions and Political Sensitivities Surround the Service
Insiders cited in reporting indicated that the decision to leave Mr Mamdani off the speaker roster stemmed from the family’s conservative leanings and support for President Donald Trump, making them uncomfortable with the mayor’s presence at the podium. As a self-described democratic socialist, Mr Mamdani has been a polarising figure in local politics, known for vocal criticism of Israel and past U.S. military action against Iran.
Following the service, the mayor’s office released his prepared remarks.
“It is often said that our fallen ‘gave their tomorrows for our today.’ Sergeant Rampersad had tomorrows waiting for her: birthdays, ordinary mornings, evenings spent with her loved ones. But she gave every one of them up so that we could have ours — so that we could stand here today, safe and protected.”
Zohran Mamdani, New York City Mayor
Honoring Staff Sgt. Angel Sarah Rampersad
Staff Sgt. Angel Sarah Rampersad, 28, of Ozone Park, was killed on July 17, 2026, during an Iranian drone and missile attack at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. She was deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve alongside two other U.S. service members: 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25, and Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19.
Rampersad was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, based in Ansbach, Germany. U.S. Brig. Gen. Glenn Henke noted that she had recently served as a mentor to younger soldiers like Gonzales.
“We still don’t know what happened in the final moments. Knowing what we know about Staff Sgt. Rampersad, I’d like to believe that she spent her last minutes helping a young private try to help her get to safety, putting others before herself.”
Gen. Glenn Henke, commander of the Army’s missile and defense command in Germany
A Solemn Procession to Long Island National Cemetery
The funeral at Calvary Assembly of God drew hundreds of mourners, including family members, fellow soldiers, neighbors, and Governor Kathy Hochul, who addressed the crowd and shared her reflections on the fallen soldier.
“I feel after reading and admiring this woman from a distance, I feel like she could be one of my daughters.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul, New York Governor
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