New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, was told to leave the wake of slain NYPD officer Jonathan Diller Friday afternoon.
An unidentified mourner confronted Hochul and video footage captured the tense exchange.
WATCH:
WATCH: Video of New York Governor Kathy Hochul being denied entry into the wake for slain NYPD officer Jonathan Diller.
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) March 29, 2024
The New York governor reportedly only spent around 10 minutes at the Massapequa Funeral Home on Long Island.
Diller, 31, was allegedly shot and killed by career criminal Guy Rivera on Monday evening.
The New York Post reports:
Hochul — who had asked the NYPD, the NYPD Police Benevolent Association, and the Nassau County Police Benevolent Association ahead of time about attending — arrived at the Massapequa Funeral Home on Long Island for the second day of viewing around 1:45 p.m.
While at the emotional event, Hochul had an “animated” conversation with Diller’s 29-year-old widow, Stephanie, one witness told The Post.
“[It looked] like she was telling [Hochul] off,” they said of the tense exchange. “It didn’t look like the widow had a kind word to say.”
Hochul left immediately after that, the individual claimed.
Another source, however, said they saw the governor having a “short, respectful conversation” with the devastated family.
“She greeted the family members, then walked out,” they told The Post, noting that she was inside for “10 to 15 minutes.”
“It was a brief respectful visit. She was not asked to leave,” the source added of the incident outside.
Hochul’s brief stop came one day after former President Donald Trump paid his respects at the first day of viewings – where he stayed for around 40 minutes.
Trump during the vigil, shared, “What happened is such a sad, sad event, such a horrible thing.”
“We have to stop it. We have to stop it,” added Trump.
“Gov. Hochul is well known for being SUPER soft on crime and siding with career criminals over police,” journalist Nick Sortor commented.
🚨 NEW: NY Governor Kathy Hochul BOOTED from Slain NYPD Officer’s Wake
GOOD! 🔥
Hochul showed up uninvited, and the family of fallen officer Jonathan Diller were NOT HAPPY.
The Democrat only lasted about 10 mins before being “asked to leave,” with officers CLAPPING as she was… pic.twitter.com/jb5iFYgmeB
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) March 29, 2024
“Gov. Kathy Hochul was asked to leave the second day of viewing of slain NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller’s after just 10 minutes because her policies directly led to his murder. How? Diller was shot during a routine traffic stop by Guy Rivera, a career criminal who has 21 prior arrests and was found to have a shiv stored in his rectum during the shooting,” Charlie Kirk wrote.
“Lindy Jones, who was driving, is also an ex-con who was arrested after a second gun was found in the car. Hochul and other New York lawmakers passed bail reform which allowed Rivera to walk on a gun charge last spring. The blood of so many innocent Americans is on the hands of Democrats like Kathy Hochul. She should have never showed her face at that wake,” he added.
Gov. Kathy Hochul was asked to leave the second day of viewing of slain NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller's after just 10 minutes because her policies directly led to his murder.
How?
Diller was shot during a routine traffic stop by Guy Rivera, a career criminal who has 21 prior… pic.twitter.com/VSm6RZv4TN
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) March 29, 2024
From Daily Mail:
Rivera was charged on Thursday with first-degree murder of Diller and attempted murder for aiming his gun at a second police officer.
Lindy Jones, 41, who was charged with a number of gun crimes in connection with the shooting, was arrested on a gun charge last spring and had spent time in prison for attempted murder.
According to police sources who spoke to the Post, Hochul was confronted by a man in a black suit on her way to the car.
Photos and videos from the outlet capture the man furiously speaking to the governor and pointing to the crowd.
When Hochul walked away, several officers waiting outside the funeral home can be heard clapping.
Hochul’s appearance at the wake comes a day after she directed flags on all state buildings to be flown at half-staff in honor of Diller on March 30, the day of his funeral services.
‘New Yorkers are in mourning over the loss of Officer Jonathan Diller, a heroic young man who dedicated his life to public safety and serving the people,’ she said in a statement.
‘Our prayers are with his family, his loved ones and his colleagues in the NYPD as they grieve this tragic and senseless loss.’
Diller, a married father of a one-year-old boy, was allegedly shot dead by Rivera during a traffic stop on Monday. The death has sparked a huge response from the police community, with NYPD Commissioner Edward Cavan branding him a ‘hero.’