Judge Warns DOJ Officials to Stop Public Comments in Luigi Mangione Case

A Manhattan federal judge warned Justice Department officials to stop publicly discussing the Luigi Mangione case, saying recent posts could taint the jury pool and jeopardize the defendant’s right to a fair trial. Judge Margaret Garrett also ordered that Attorney General Pam Bondi be notified that the publicity rules apply to her role in the matter and that further breaches could invite sanctions.

Mangione, 27, is charged in federal and state cases with murdering UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson outside the insurer’s Manhattan investor conference. The government says it intends to seek the death penalty in the federal case. In her ruling, the judge cited a September 19 post by a Justice Department spokesman that referenced a clip of the president, noted the post has since been deleted, and said a senior official reposted it the next day. The judge described those actions as potentially tainting the jury pool.

Mangione’s lawyers have argued that White House statements attempting to link the defendant to broader left-wing violence threaten his right to a fair trial. They cited a White House briefing that referred to Mangione as a left-wing assassin and a later White House release labeling Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization as evidence of prejudicial commentary. The government has until next Friday to file responses in court, and Mangione remains scheduled to appear in federal court on Dec. 5, with no trial date yet set.

The judge said future breaches could lead to sanctions such as fines or other measures tailored to the prosecution of this matter. The ruling underscores the balance courts seek between public communication by officials and the integrity of high-profile prosecutions.

The case illustrates the sensitivities surrounding federal death-penalty prosecutions and public discourse during a charged political climate. DOJ representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Wednesday. The government has until next Friday to respond in court papers, and Mangione is due back in court on Dec. 5, with no trial date set.