“I see it more of a revolutionary act of protest, the likes of which we haven’t seen since the civil rights era.”
minute read
Supporters of Luigi Mangione gathered outside a Manhattan federal courthouse on Friday following his guilty plea in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, with some defending the attack as an act of protest.
Mangione pleaded guilty to two federal stalking charges stemming from Thompson’s December 2024 killing. The charges included interstate stalking resulting in death and stalking through the use of interstate facilities resulting in death. Both charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.
The plea came as Mangione’s supporters gathered outside the Manhattan federal courthouse and voiced sympathy for him. Mangione has developed a loyal following of left-wing supporters, many of whom are female.
“I see it more of a revolutionary act of protest, the likes of which we haven’t seen since the civil rights era,” said one self-identified “Mangionista,” according to the New York Post. “I hope Brian Thompson is the last death from the healthcare industry. I would also like to see no more violence, no more profit motive there.”
Another fan of Mangione, Christina Marani, told the outlet that Thompson’s murder is nothing compared to what will now be shown about the health insurance industry.
“In a way, it’s really unfortunate that someone had to die to spark the conversations that we’re now having, but unfortunately that’s the way it is,” another female supporter said. “His death resulted in us having these tough conversations about health care inequality and people suffering in America.”
In a press release, the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York detailed the allegations in the indictment made against Mangione. Prosecutors claim that in the months leading up to the December 2024 killing, Mangione targeted Thompson because of his role with UnitedHealthcare, traveling to New York City to carry out the attack. Mangione carried out the killing outside a conference venue he knew Thompson was attending.
“Luigi Mangione carried out a ruthless act of violence that shocked this city, and today’s guilty plea is an important moment of accountability for this heinous crime,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “This case demonstrated the extraordinary work of NYPD detectives, who relentlessly pursued every lead, pairing sophisticated technology with painstaking, old-fashioned police work to identify the suspect and build the case that brought us to this day. I want to thank all the members of the NYPD who worked tirelessly on this case, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI for their partnership. And to those who idolize Mangione—violence is not a cause, murder is not a message, and a killer is not a hero.”
Mangione’s sentencing is scheduled for December 18.
