A federal judge on Wednesday warned Justice Department officials that continued public comments about the case against Luigi Mangione, the man accused of assassinating an insurance executive last year, could result in sanctions for violating the rules governing what prosecutors can say publicly about the guilt or innocence of a defendant before a trial.

Judge Margaret Garnett, who is overseeing Mangione's federal case, said in an order that at least two DOJ officials likely broke court rules governing the conduct of prosecutors by reposting comments President Donald Trump made about Mangione in recent days. Garnett said the actions "appear to be in direct violation" of court rules.

Mangione, 27, has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson , on

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