An attempt by Democratic figures to milk a tragedy for political gain fell flat last week when New York’s Democrat Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James were forbidden from speaking at a fallen NYPD officer’s funeral.
Fox News reporter Brian Kilmeade revealed that the family of the slain officer declined requests from the two top state Democrats to speak at the funeral. Kilmeade reported, “I have now learned tonight from a source that Kathy Hochul, the governor, asked to speak at tomorrow’s funeral at St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church.” He added, “So did, hold on to something tight: A.G. Letitia James.” Kilmeade said, adding, “Both were rejected by the family.”
Jonathan Diller was a dedicated police officer who had worked for three years in the force. On March 25, 2024, during a routine traffic stop in Far Rockaway, Queens, he approached a vehicle parked in front of a bus stop. The suspect, Guy Rivera, refused to comply with Officer Diller’s instructions and instead opened fire, hitting Officer Diller below his bulletproof vest. Despite being critically wounded, Officer Diller managed to communicate that he had been shot before disarming the suspect. He was rushed to Jamaica Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Diller, aged 31, was the first line-of-duty death in New York City in two years. He leaves behind a grieving wife and a young child.
The 34-year-old Rivera, who had 21 prior arrests, was wounded in the exchange of gunfire. During the incident, it was discovered that Rivera had a shiv stored in his rectum, suggesting he may have anticipated being sent to jail again.
A second suspect, identified as 41-year-old Lindy Jones, faced charges of criminal possession of a weapon and possession of a defaced firearm. Jones, with 14 prior arrests that include charges of attempted murder and robbery, was already out on bail related to another crime. During a court session on Wednesday, prosecutors emphasized Jones’s pattern of violent offenses and past instances of missing court appearances as they argued for his detention without bail. The judge concurred, considering him a flight risk, and ordered him to be held in custody.
Former President Donald Trump was welcomed to the service with open arms, earning a grudging acknowledgment from the rabidly progressive hosts of The View. Alyssa Farah Griffin, a co-host critical of Trump, conceded that he “deeply understands what resonates with middle America.” She further recognized that Trump’s grasp of this concept surpasses President Biden’s.
Trump has said publicly that Biden should have attended as well.
Biden was far too busy to attend the funeral, even if he had been welcomed. As mourners laid a hero to rest, he attended a glamorous fundraising affair at New York City’s Radio Music Hall on Thursday. The event featured appearances by former Presidents Obama and Bill Clinton, alongside A-list celebrities.
Actress Mindy Kaling hosted the star-studded event featuring musical performances by artists like Queen Latifah, Lizzo, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo, and Lea Michele. This fundraiser aimed to gather over $25 million for the president’s re-election campaign. The event included a nearly hour-long discussion moderated by Stephen Colbert of “The Late Show,” where they delved into topics ranging from the economy to the border to the January 6 incident, which President Biden again referred to as an “insurrection.”
Several New York Democrats attempted to attend the services but were turned away at the door. Most of them are ardent supporters of the “defund the police” movement. Governor Hochul was turned away, with mourners telling her that she had Diller’s “blood on her hands” because of her lax law enforcement policies. One grieving man clapped as another confronted Hochul at the door. However, NYC Mayor Eric Adams was permitted to attend and gave a speech at the funeral.
The Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA) of the NYPD strongly criticized left-leaning Democratic leaders in New York City for their policies that undermine law enforcement and show leniency toward criminals. SBA President Vincent Vallelong wrote a letter to the police union, suggesting that New York Democrats should skip the funeral because they would shed they would be attending to show “crocodile tears” for a photo op while doing nothing to address the issues that led to the death of the hero.
In all, Diller’s funeral drew an estimated 10,000 people throughout Long Island, coming to pay their respects to the young officer who made the ultimate sacrifice. Unlike top Democrats in New York City, these people were welcomed with open arms.
