New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani attended a funeral service Friday for Army Sergeant Angel Sarah Rampersad, who was killed in an Iranian attack in Jordan last month, but was not invited to deliver remarks.

Rampersad, 28, of Ozone Park, Queens, died on July 17 when Iranian ballistic missiles and drones struck Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. Two other U.S. service members were also killed in the attack.

Mamdani attended the service at a church in Ozone Park but did not speak, according to the New York Post. Sources told the publication that Rampersad’s family chose not to have the mayor address the congregation to avoid what they described as “political distractions.”

What Happened at the Service

Mamdani appeared to review prepared remarks on an iPad as other dignitaries addressed mourners, but his name was never called to speak. Governor Kathy Hochul, state Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr., Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and others delivered remarks honoring the soldier.

One attendee told the Post that Mamdani appeared frustrated when it became clear he would not be invited to the podium. “He looked over at his staff, frustrated and seemed angry that he didn’t speak,” the source said.

After realizing his name would not be called, Mamdani put away his tablet and sat with his staff for the remainder of the service, according to the account.

The Family’s Decision

Sources described Rampersad’s family as politically conservative and supportive of President Donald Trump. “The family is more conservative and wanted to limit any political distractions,” one source told the Post.

Neither Mamdani’s office nor members of the Rampersad family have publicly confirmed these accounts. Mamdani’s office later released the prepared remarks he had intended to deliver during the service.

About the Fallen Soldier

Rampersad served as a Signal Operations Support Specialist with the 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, stationed in Ansbach, Germany. She was deployed to Jordan in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, the international mission to combat ISIS in Iraq and Syria.

Two other American service members were killed in the same Iranian attack: 1st Lieutenant Tyler James Feehan, 25, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, and Private Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Carrollton, Texas.