Washington, April 7 (V7N) – Attorney General Pam Bondi revealed on Sunday that she has received death threats following her decision to instruct the federal government to seek the death penalty against Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last year.

Bondi directed her agency last week to pursue capital punishment in Mangione's federal case. Mangione, who was arrested in Pennsylvania in December following Thompson’s fatal shooting in New York City, faces state murder and terrorism charges, as well as federal charges of murder and stalking. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Mangione’s defense attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, criticized the case, calling it politically motivated and accusing the Justice Department of acting "lawlessly" in pursuing the death penalty.

This comes as one of President Trump's first executive orders in his second term instructed the attorney general to ensure states have the necessary drugs to perform executions via lethal injection. The president has also called for the death penalty in cases involving human trafficking and illegal drug charges.

On "Fox News Sunday," Bondi defended the administration's stance on the Mangione case, asserting, “If there was ever a death case, this is one.” She also condemned those who have expressed sympathy for Mangione, noting that Thompson’s death, sparked by frustrations with the American healthcare system, has generated widespread attention.

Bondi added, “I feel like these young people have lost their way,” explaining that the death threats stemmed from her pursuit of the death penalty against Mangione, who is accused of executing a CEO.

Pretrial proceedings in Mangione's federal case have been delayed until at least next Friday.

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