New York City’s press credentialing system is facing intense scrutiny after several activists supporting accused killer Luigi Mangione used official city-issued press passes while making inflammatory and violent remarks outside a Manhattan courthouse Monday.
The chaotic scene unfolded on the courthouse steps as self-described “Mangionistas” openly praised the accused assassin and hurled grotesque attacks at slain executive Brian Thompson and even President Donald Trump.
One activist, Ashley Rojas, wearing what appeared to be an official New York City press credential, shouted: “F-ck Brian Thompson. That’s all I want to say. F-ck Brian Thompson. F-ck his mom,” according to reporting from the New York Post.
Another activist, Lena Weissbrot, attacked Thompson’s grieving family and minimized the murder itself.
“His children are better off without him,” Weissbrot declared. “They need to learn to not be like their dad.”
Weissbrot also compared Thompson to terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden, claiming the slain executive was “responsible for more deaths than Osama bin Laden,” while defending what she described as “heroic violence.”
Outside the courthouse, activist Abril Rios directed rhetoric toward Trump, saying she wanted to see the president “hanging in the town square,” according to reports.
Weissbrot later referenced executing “traitors” and praised the alleged gunman as a “mysterious hero.”
The remarks immediately ignited outrage online and raised fresh questions about how City Hall under Mayor Zohran Mamdani is handling media credentials.
Lost amid the spectacle is the brutal killing at the center of the case.
Federal authorities allege Mangione carried out a carefully planned assassination of Thompson on Dec. 4, 2024, after conducting surveillance and using fake identification. Prosecutors say Mangione ambushed Thompson from behind on a Midtown street and fired multiple rounds from a suppressed 9mm handgun.
According to the Department of Justice, investigators also recovered writings allegedly describing plans to target “the CEO at the annual parasitic bean-counter convention.”
A spokesperson for City Hall told the New York Post that officials are now reconsidering how press passes are distributed following Monday’s incident.
What you're about to watch is two members of the "press" credentialed by Mayor Mamdani, openly endorsing the heinous and evil assassination of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Ashley Rojas and Lena Weissbrot are their names, and they deserve to be famous:
Rojas: "I'm saying… pic.twitter.com/ub69hrtbqg
— Andrew Kolvet (@AndrewKolvet) May 18, 2026
