Overview
- In a filing Wednesday in Manhattan federal court, prosecutors said two Justice Department employees who reposted President Trump’s remarks are not part of the prosecution team and have no role in the case.
- Prosecutors said the posts were removed once flagged and the employees were warned, adding that the absence of a set trial date reduces any risk to prospective jurors.
- The reposts followed a White House X clip of Trump calling Luigi Mangione “a pure assassin,” which DOJ spokesman Chad Gilmartin endorsed before associate deputy attorney general Brian Nieves boosted it.
- Judge Margaret M. Garnett previously said the reposts likely violated rules governing prosecutors’ public statements and ordered the department to explain how it happened and how it will be prevented.
- Mangione has pleaded not guilty in parallel federal and state cases; Attorney General Pam Bondi directed prosecutors to seek the death penalty, and the defense is moving to dismiss charges and bar capital prosecution, while a state judge recently threw out terrorism enhancements.