A federal judge has issued a stern warning to the Justice Department over potential violations of trial rules through public statements and social media posts related to the murder case against Luigi Mangione, accused of killing United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Judge Margaret Garnett, overseeing the case, expressed concerns that these comments might infringe on the defendant's right to a fair trial.
The warning was formalized in an order filed Wednesday, as Judge Garnett addressed the conduct of Justice Department employees, including Attorney General Pam Bondi's office. She specifically referenced Local Criminal Rule 23.1, which aims to prevent lawyers and government staff from making public remarks that could jeopardize the integrity of a trial.
In her order, Judge Garnett reminded the Department of Justice (DOJ) of their obligation to adhere to this rule, which they had been directed to follow earlier this year. The April 25 order emphasized the importance of limiting public communication by counsel and their staff to avoid any interference with fair trial proceedings or the administration of justice.
The Post Millennial (TPM) reported that the judge's concerns stemmed from a defense letter dated September 23, which cited a social media post by Chad Gilmartin, Deputy Director of the DOJ’s Office of Public Affairs. Gilmartin reposted a video of former President Donald Trump on Fox News, in which Trump claimed that Mangione had shot Thompson "right in the middle of the back — instantly dead." Gilmartin's endorsement of Trump's statement with the caption "@POTUS is absolutely right" raised alarms about potential prejudice.
Before its deletion, the post was shared by Brian Nieves, Chief of Staff and Associate Deputy Attorney General. Furthermore, White House officials, including press secretary Karoline Leavitt and deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller, made statements linking Mangione to political movements and violent incidents, despite the defense's assertions of their client's non-affiliation with any extremist groups.
The defense's filing highlighted the prejudicial impact of these statements, arguing that they were part of a broader political narrative that could compromise the fairness of the trial, particularly with the death penalty under consideration.
Judge Garnett has ordered the DOJ to submit a response by October 3, detailing the reasons for these apparent violations and the measures to be taken to prevent future incidents. She warned that further breaches could lead to sanctions or other judicial actions. The judge also noted that she would review the contested statements in light of the defendant's death penalty motion, filed on September 19.
As the trial unfolds, with the backdrop of the 2026 midterm elections, the judge's recent decision to drop terrorism charges against Mangione for "insufficient evidence" adds another layer of complexity to the proceedings. This development was highlighted by Laura Loomer in a tweet dated September 16, 2025, suggesting political motivations behind the trial's timing.
