The New York City Council is considering legislation that would make it easier to suspend or revoke city-issued press credentials used for non-journalistic purposes. The proposal follows controversy involving supporters of Luigi Mangione who displayed city press passes outside court proceedings in Manhattan. It would lower the evidentiary standard for disciplinary action from clear and convincing evidence to a preponderance of the evidence. City officials say the changes are intended to ensure credentials are issued to legitimate journalists while preserving an administrative process for reviewing misconduct.
| 1) | Council considers changes to press credentials |
| 2) | Mangione supporters draw attention outside court |
| 3) | Proposed evidence standard would be lower |
| 4) | Officials question credentials for non-journalists |
| 5) | Mangione case remains before state and federal courts |
Council considers changes to press credentials
The bill was introduced Thursday and is sponsored by Councilmember Chris Banks, with Councilmembers Carmen De La Rosa and Inna Vernikov as co-sponsors. It would give the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment authority to suspend or revoke a city press pass when the preponderance of the evidence shows that disciplinary action is warranted.
The proposal is aimed at cases in which credentials are abused or used by people who are not performing journalistic work. Under the current rules, the city must establish clear and convincing evidence before taking a press pass away. The legislation would streamline that process by applying a lower civil evidentiary standard.
Mangione supporters draw attention outside court
The debate intensified after three supporters of Luigi Mangione attracted national attention in May by showing city-issued press passes to a newspaper outside the courthouse on the day of one of his hearings. The individuals were described as influencers or supporters rather than conventional newsroom journalists, although at least one was identified as an independent journalist.
Ashley Rojas and Abril Rios were photographed outside New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan in August while attending proceedings. Rojas made an offensive statement about UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, whom prosecutors say Mangione killed. Lena Weissbrot also appeared to defend the killing by making an unverified comparison involving Thompson and Usama bin Laden.
Proposed evidence standard would be lower
The central change concerns how the city determines whether a credential should be removed. The existing clear and convincing evidence standard requires a stronger showing before officials can impose the penalty. The proposed preponderance standard would allow action when the evidence indicates that misconduct was more likely than not.
Supporters of the bill say the revision would help the city respond more quickly when a press pass is being used to obtain access for purposes unrelated to reporting. The measure does not itself identify a specific credential holder or establish a criminal penalty. Its stated focus is the administration of city-issued media credentials.
Officials question credentials for non-journalists
City Council Speaker Julie Menin said the legislation is designed to address people she characterized as fans of Mangione who received press passes despite not being journalists. She said the city should ensure that credentials go to legitimate journalists and that officials should have a workable method for correcting decisions when credentials are misused.
“We want them to reform their practices so it’s really journalists, legitimate journalists, who should be getting the press credentials,” Menin said.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani previously told reporters that the three individuals involved in the controversy should not have received press passes. The proposal now moves the issue to the Council’s legislative process, where its language and potential effects on media access can be considered.
Mangione case remains before state and federal courts
The credential dispute is connected to continuing proceedings against Mangione. He pleaded guilty to federal charges earlier in 2026, while his legal team is seeking dismissal of New York state charges on double jeopardy grounds. The state murder trial was adjourned until December amid those concerns.
Mangione is accused of killing Thompson, a 50-year-old father of two from Minnesota, on a Manhattan sidewalk on Dec. 5, 2024. Investigators say surveillance video showed a person approaching Thompson from behind and firing a silenced handgun before fleeing by bicycle. Police later arrested Mangione at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after customers and employees recognized him from a wanted poster.
| No. | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | The bill would make it easier to suspend or revoke city-issued press passes. |
| 2 | The proposed evidence standard is a preponderance of the evidence. |
| 3 | The proposal follows controversy involving Mangione supporters at court. |
| 4 | The Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment would handle the action. |
| 5 | Mangione’s state case remains affected by double jeopardy arguments. |
Summary
New York City lawmakers are seeking to revise the rules governing press credentials after city-issued passes were displayed by Mangione supporters outside court. The bill would lower the evidence threshold for revocation and give the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment greater ability to act when credentials are used for non-journalistic purposes. Its progress will determine how the city balances administrative oversight with access for independent and emerging journalists.
Frequently Asked Questions
What would the proposed bill change?
It would allow the city to suspend or revoke a press pass when a preponderance of the evidence supports that action, replacing the current clear and convincing evidence standard.
Why was the legislation introduced?
The measure follows controversy over city-issued press passes held by supporters of Luigi Mangione who appeared outside court proceedings and were accused by officials of using credentials for non-journalistic purposes.
Who would administer the proposed process?
The Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment would receive authority to suspend or revoke credentials under the proposed standard.
