Attorney General Pamela Bondi has directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty against Luigi Mangione, who is charged with the December 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare executive Brian Thompson in what officials are describing as a politically motivated assassination.
The move follows federal murder charges issued on Dec. 19, 2024. In a statement released Tuesday, Bondi described the killing as “a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination” and cited the decision as part of the administration’s broader efforts to combat violent crime.
“Luigi Mangione’s murder of Brian Thompson — an innocent man and father of two young children — was a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America,” Bondi said. “After careful consideration, I have directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in this case as we carry out President Trump’s agenda to stop violent crime and Make America Safe Again.”
Murder involved premeditation, public risk, officials say
According to federal authorities, Mangione stalked Thompson and carried out the killing in public on Dec. 4, 2024, with bystanders nearby. Prosecutors say the alleged planning involved in the attack, combined with its public nature, elevated the severity of the crime and increased the risk to others.
Bondi’s directive aligns with a January 2025 policy memo titled Reviving the Federal Death Penalty and Lifting the Moratorium on Federal Executions, which outlined the administration’s intent to resume capital punishment in qualifying federal cases.
Case moving forward under acting U.S. Attorney
Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky will lead the prosecution in the case. The Justice Department has not released additional details on the timeline for proceedings.
Thompson’s killing drew national attention and renewed debates over political violence and the application of the federal death penalty. The case remains ongoing.
