Justice Department seeks death penalty for Luigi Mangione

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Tuesday that the Justice Department will seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione if convicted of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. 

The decision follows President Donald Trump’s directive to pursue the death penalty for severe crimes, a reversal from the Biden administration’s stance.

Mangione faces federal and state charges for allegedly shooting Thompson in Manhattan last December. He pleaded not guilty to state charges and has not yet been indicted on federal charges. 

His attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, criticized the DOJ’s decision as political and unjust.

The 26-year-old, held in Brooklyn, has raised over $800,000 for legal fees. His case in New York state court will proceed first, with charges including first-degree murder as an act of terrorism.