New York City Council leaders are proposing changes to the city's press credentialing process, aiming to streamline the revocation of passes for individuals who misuse them. The move comes after a controversy earlier this year when several supporters of Luigi Mangione, a man accused of murder, were granted official press credentials.
Council Speaker Julie Menin and Deputy Leader Chris Banks plan to introduce an amendment on Thursday that would lower the burden of proof required for city officials to revoke credentials. Currently, the process requires "clear and convincing" evidence to suspend or revoke a pass; the proposed amendment would change this to a "preponderance" of evidence.
"For this system to work as intended, there must be a thoughtful process for issuing credentials and, when necessary, revoking them," Menin stated. "We’re committed to ensuring a process that balances real logistical, safety, and journalistic concerns."
The controversy gained public attention in May when three individuals identified as supporters of Luigi Mangione, who had been issued press passes, were reported to have made hateful and violent statements outside a Manhattan court hearing for Mangione. One of these individuals, Lena Weissbrot, reportedly said that the children of Brian Thompson, whom Mangione admitted to killing, were "better off without him."
These passes were issued by Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration, under the credentialing process established by his predecessor, Eric Adams. The Mayor's Office of Entertainment and Media (MOME) oversees the credentialing process, which was moved from the NYPD's purview in 2021. This shift has placed the review process under scrutiny.
The proposed amendment will also direct MOME to conduct an internal review of its rules regarding the issuance, suspension, and revocation of press credentials, with the stated goal of promoting a "free and independent press."
"Press credentials play an important role in ensuring members of the media can cover government and public events on behalf of the public," said Banks. "At the same time, recent experiences have highlighted the importance of maintaining clear standards and accountability within the credentialing process."
City Council leadership emphasized that the proposed amendment is intended to support legitimate journalists in their work while ensuring accountability. The legislative proposal will undergo the standard review process and may be subject to further changes based on stakeholder input.
The credentialing process allows journalists access to restricted areas, such as emergency scenes and certain courtrooms, which is vital for their reporting. The incident involving Mangione's supporters raised questions about the thoroughness of the vetting process for such access.
Luigi Mangione attends a pre-trial appearance at Manhattan Criminal Court on August 11, 2026.
Ashley Rojas, Abril Rios, and Lena Weissbrot, who received press passes, were photographed outside Manhattan Court.
Council Speaker Julie Menin is a key figure in the proposed changes to the press credentialing system.
