Mayor Mamdani’s office under fire after issuing press badges to Luigi Mangione supporters

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani faced intense criticism this week after his office issued press credentials to three women who openly support Luigi Mangione, the 28-year-old suspect awaiting trial for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The trio appeared outside Manhattan Criminal Courts Building on Monday wearing official press badges from the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, making inflammatory statements that sparked outrage across social media and journalism circles. The incident raised serious questions about the city’s process for granting media access to court proceedings and other official events.

Abril Rios, Ashley Rojas and Lena Weissbrot—dubbed “Mangionistas” by local media—did not hide their extreme support for Mangione during their appearance at his brief court hearing. The three women displayed their press credentials while making shocking statements about the slain executive. Rojas directed profane remarks at Thompson and his family, while Weissbrot claimed Thompson’s children “are better off without him” and suggested they should “enjoy the blood money.” The comments immediately drew condemnation from journalists, public officials and members of the public who questioned how these individuals obtained official press passes.

Mayor responds to credential controversy

Mamdani addressed the controversy on Tuesday, stating that “those three individuals should not have received press passes.” The mayor acknowledged that while there exists legitimate debate about press credential standards, these three women fall outside any reasonable interpretation of who qualifies for media access. His office told media outlets that it is now reassessing the city’s process and standards for press credentialing following the incident. However, Mamdani’s office noted that the credentialing process has not changed from previous administrations, and that the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment holds sole authority to issue these badges on behalf of the city.

The office explained that MOME has limited flexibility in revoking credentials, as it can only suspend or revoke a press badge after an OATH hearing and pending an OATH judge’s determination. This bureaucratic structure means the mayor’s office cannot immediately strip the credentials from the three women despite widespread calls for their removal. The situation has exposed what critics describe as a significant flaw in New York City’s media credentialing system, which appears to lack adequate safeguards against individuals who may misuse press access for activism rather than legitimate journalism.

Supporters defend inflammatory statements

Rios, who describes herself on her Substack as a “female rage encourager, abolitionist, and socialist fascism resister,” defended her position in the days following the incident. She posted on Instagram that she works in social media, which she considers part of the press, and insisted she is not a traditional reporter. When asked for comment, Rios provided a statement on behalf of all three women, declaring that “no amount of pressure or fearmongering is going to make me bow to our oppressors.” She argued that she has a platform and intends to use it to speak about difficult truths regarding the healthcare industry.

Rios expressed zero remorse for her statements about Thompson, stating that the healthcare lobby has “continued to innovate—not in ways it can help people—but in ways that it can steal from us.” She emphasized that having opinions is not illegal, and neither is sharing them publicly. Weissbrot similarly defended her remarks, telling media outlets that she knows her statements were “a little inflammatory” but that Americans are genuinely angry about the health insurance industry. Both women framed their comments as part of a broader critique of corporate healthcare practices in America.

Journalism community condemns credential abuse

The incident triggered swift backlash from professional journalists and media observers who questioned the credentials process. Journalist Miranda Devine asked why “activist morons” are impersonating reporters, while Michele McPhee expressed disbelief that the women received press passes at all. McPhee emphasized the dangerous precedent of treating social media influencers as equivalent to trained journalists who follow ethical standards and professional guidelines. Critics on social media accused Mamdani of enabling hate speech and violent rhetoric by granting official press credentials to individuals with clear activist agendas rather than journalistic missions.

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The controversy landed the three women on the front page of a major New York newspaper, further amplifying the debate about media access and credentialing standards. Many observers noted that the incident could have serious implications for legitimate journalists who work to maintain professional standards and ethical boundaries in their reporting. The situation also highlighted the ongoing tension between traditional media outlets and social media personalities who claim equivalent status as news gatherers and disseminators of information.

Case details and ongoing legal proceedings

Mangione faces both state and federal charges in connection with Thompson’s death in December 2024. The UnitedHealthcare CEO had traveled to New York City to meet with Wall Street investors when he was fatally shot. Surveillance video captured the last moments of Thompson’s life, showing a gunman approaching him from behind on a sidewalk and opening fire. Thompson, a father of two from Minnesota, became the center of national attention not only for the tragedy of his death but also for the unexpected support his alleged killer received from certain segments of society.

The suspect has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him. His attorney has publicly condemned what he describes as “vile and irresponsible statements” from supporters like the three women who received press credentials. Prosecutors have raised concerns that activist jurors might ignore evidence in the case, given the polarized public reaction to Thompson’s death. Some individuals on the far-left have effectively portrayed the killing as justifiable vengeance against the health insurance industry, citing high costs and poor coverage options as motivation for support of the accused.

Broader implications for press freedom and accountability

The credential controversy has sparked a larger conversation about who qualifies as press in the digital age and what standards should apply to media access at official events. Traditional journalists argue that press credentials should be reserved for individuals working for established news organizations or independent journalists who follow professional ethical guidelines. They contend that allowing activists with social media platforms to obtain the same credentials undermines the credibility of legitimate news gathering and creates opportunities for disruption of court proceedings and other official functions.

• The Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment issues all press credentials for New York City events and proceedings
• Current regulations make it difficult to quickly revoke credentials once issued without a formal hearing process
• Social media influencers increasingly seek the same access as traditional journalists without adhering to professional standards
• The incident has prompted calls for stricter vetting procedures and clearer definitions of who qualifies for press credentials

The three women maintained that their statements reflect genuine anger among Americans about healthcare industry practices. However, their targeting of Thompson’s family, including his children, crossed ethical lines that most journalists and media observers consider indefensible. The incident has forced city officials to confront difficult questions about balancing press freedom with the need to maintain order and decorum at official proceedings, while also protecting the integrity of the journalism profession from those who would abuse press credentials for activist purposes.

As Mamdani’s office reviews its credentialing process, the outcome could set important precedents for other cities and jurisdictions facing similar challenges in the digital media age. The case continues to generate national attention as Mangione awaits trial on murder charges that could result in a life sentence if convicted.