Federal prosecutors have informed the court that they will pursue the death penalty against Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December of last year. The announcement follows an indictment charging Mangione with four counts, including the capital offense of murder through the use of a firearm.

The prosecution argued that Mangione intended not only to kill Thompson but also to launch a broader attack against the healthcare industry. According to court filings, Mangione sought to "rally political and social opposition" by carrying out a highly visible and impactful act of lethal violence. Prosecutors contend that his objective was to provoke widespread resistance to the healthcare sector through the assassination.

Mangione is scheduled to appear before a federal court in Manhattan on Friday to formally enter a plea. United States Attorney General Pam Bondi had earlier urged New York prosecutors to pursue the death penalty in the case. Mangione's lawyer has criticized the decision, calling it a "political stunt" aimed at generating publicity rather than serving justice.

The case has drawn significant attention due to the high-profile nature of the victim and the rare use of federal capital punishment proceedings. As the legal process unfolds, the case is expected to ignite broader discussions around politically motivated violence and the application of the death penalty at the federal level.