Public statements by Justice Department officials regarding Luigi Mangione, accused of killing insurance executive Brian Thompson, breached court rules designed to prevent prejudicial publicity.

U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett of Manhattan issued a written order addressing these violations on Wednesday.

The big picture: The judge directed prosecutors to instruct Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche to advise all Justice Department officials against further rule breaches, warning of possible penalties including fines or contempt charges. • Mangione, 27, has pleaded not guilty to the murder charges and faces federal pursuit of the death penalty. • The ruling followed a court filing by Mangione’s defense team, claiming that public statements by officials during the Trump administra

See Full Page