Apr 7, 2025 - Politics & Policy

Bondi vows to seek death penalty "whenever possible" amid threats to her life

Rebecca Falconer

President Donald Trump listens to Pam Bondi after she was sworn in as US Attorney General in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 5, 2025. — President Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi at the White House in February. Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

Attorney General Pam Bondi said Sunday she's had death threats for seeking the death penalty for Luigi Mangione, the man charged with murder in connection with the December killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

What they're saying: "I feel like these young people have lost their way," Bondi said on Fox News Sunday in addressing a question from anchor Shannon Bream about some young people's support for Mangione, whose arrest triggered massive debate about the U.S. health care system.

"I was receiving death threats for seeking the death penalty on someone who was charged with an execution of a CEO."
Bondi said President Trump's directive was "very clear" on seeking the death penalty.
"We're going to continue to do the right thing. We're not going to be deterred by political motives," she added. "I've seen a protester walking down the street here 'Free Luigi.' ... this guy's charged with a violent crime, and we're going to seek the death penalty whenever possible."

The big picture: Mangione has pleaded not guilty to murder and terrorism charges in New York.

He's also facing federal charges of murder and stalking, but has yet to enter a plea.

Zoom out: Threats against public officials in the U.S. have spiked in recent years.

Go deeper: Trump vows to "vigorously pursue the death penalty" after Biden commutations

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Bondi vows to seek death penalty "whenever possible" amid threats to her life

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