Mayor Mamdani was unexpectedly excluded from delivering a eulogy at the funeral of Army Sgt. Angel Sarah Rampersad in Queens on Friday, sources familiar with the event reported. The mayor, who had been preparing to speak, was relegated to a seat in the fourth row of the Ozone Park church and was not called to the podium, an incident that reportedly sparked visible frustration.

Eyewitnesses said Mamdani was reviewing his prepared remarks on an iPad while Governor Kathy Hochul, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, and other dignitaries were invited to speak. After several names were called without his being included, Mamdani appeared to signal his displeasure to his staff before setting aside his notes without speaking.

City Hall declined multiple requests for comment regarding the circumstance. The situation drew attention given Mamdani's political profile as a democratic socialist known for his outspoken criticism of Israel and U.S. foreign policy on Iran. These views have made him a polarizing figure locally and nationally.

According to one source involved in funeral planning, Sgt. Rampersad’s family holds conservative views and is a supporter of former President Donald Trump, which reportedly influenced the decision to exclude Mamdani. Another insider suggested that limiting political controversy was a priority for the family, who preferred to avoid distractions during the service. The source indicated that Mamdani’s prominent left-wing positions contributed to the revocation of his usual role in speaking at funerals for hometown soldiers.

Sgt. Angel Sarah Rampersad, 28, was among those honored in the funeral service held to commemorate her service and sacrifice. Further details about the circumstances of her death and the broader community response were not disclosed.