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Comedian and late-night show host Jimmy Kimmel has been removed from the air by ABC after the Trump administration and many of its followers objected to comments he made about the MAGA movement in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s killing. The removal appears to be tied to government scrutiny and business interests, with many calling out the administration and ABC for censorship and infringement upon free speech.

The New York Times reported Wednesday that Jimmy Kimmel Live! has been pulled from the air “indefinitely.” Anonymous sources indicated to The New York Times that Robert Iger, chief executive of ABC’s parent company Disney, and Dana Walden, Disney’s television chief, made the decision to suspend the show. Although Disney and ABC did not publicly comment on the reasoning for Kimmel’s suspension, it appears to be in reaction to conservative outrage over Kimmel’s comments relating to the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. In his monologue Monday night, Kimmel criticized President Donald Trump for answering a question about Kirk with a boast about the new White House ballroom and called out “the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them, and doing everything they can to score political points from it, in between the finger-pointing.”

These are the comments that led to Jimmy Kimmel being taken off the air.”The MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them, and doing everything they can to score political points from it, in between the… pic.twitter.com/orTluWTRyD— Blue Georgia (@BlueATLGeorgia) September 18, 2025

Government and corporate pressure led up to Disney benching Kimmel

Kimmel’s comments drew criticism not only from conservatives online but also from the Trump administration. On Wednesday, FCC Chair Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee, threatened FCC action against Kimmel and urged Disney to take Kimmel off the air. “These companies can find ways to change conduct and take action, frankly, on Kimmel, or there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.” Carr said on The Benny Show. “Frankly, I think that it’s really sort of past time that a lot of these licensed broadcasters themselves push back on Comcast and Disney and say, ‘Listen, we are going to pre-empt, we are not going to run Kimmel anymore until you straighten this out.”

Trump FCC Chair Brendan Carr threatens ABC and Disney over Jimmy Kimmel’s Charlie Kirk comments:“We can do this the easy way or the hard way… There’s actions we can take on licensed broadcasters. It’s long past the time that… Comcast and Disney say ‘We’re not gonna run Kimmel… pic.twitter.com/Zk86HS74wW— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) September 17, 2025

Shortly after this, Nexstar — a company which owns various ABC affiliates and which is seeking FCC approval for a $6 billion acquisition of another company — announced that its stations would refuse to broadcast Kimmel’s show “for the foreseeable future” over its objections to his comments about Kirk. Sinclair Broadcasting Group, the largest of the ABC affiliate companies, also announced it was preempting the Kimmel show, calling on the host to apologize to the Kirk family, and calling on ABC to make a “meaningful donation” to the Kirk family and to Turning Point USA, the organization that Kirk founded. These decisions reportedly pressured Disney to take Kimmel off the air; Disney also needs the Trump administration’s approval for a deal it is making concerning the NFL Network.

Trump suggests more late-night hosts may be targeted

The apparent influence that the Trump administration played in Kimmel’s removal is leading many on the left and some on the right to complain of censorship. Trump himself took to social media to celebrate Kimmel being “CANCELED” and suggested that NBC late-night hosts Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers may be future targets. “Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even Colbert, if that’s possible,” Trump posted, making a reference to the canceling of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert by CBS, a move that many viewed as backlash for Colbert’s criticism of Trump. The president continued, “That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!! President DJT,” the president continued.

Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done. Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even Colbert, if that’s possible. That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total…— Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) September 18, 2025

With the cancellation of Colbert’s show and the suspension against Kimmel, it appears that critics of the Trump administration are being silenced across late-night television. Alongside events like the firing of Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah over posts critical of conservatives, a disturbing trend is emerging by which major media companies are censoring their own voices over criticism of Trump and his supporters.

Starbucks employees in three states have recently filed class-action lawsuits against the coffee chain, alleging violations of the law and claiming that the company failed to reimburse them after they purchased new clothes.

Which states have filed the class-action lawsuits against Starbucks?

CBS News reported that Starbucks workers, backed by unions, have filed class-action lawsuits in state courts in Illinois and Colorado. Those in California have also taken legal action by filing complaints with the state’s Labor and Workforce Development Agency, per CBS News.

If the agency chooses not to penalize Starbucks, employees may move forward with a class-action lawsuit in California, according to the documents.

The company defended the new dress code Wednesday, stating that it would create a “consistent” experience for both workers and customers.

What did Starbucks say about the policy change?

“As part of this change, and to ensure out partners were prepared, partners received two shirts at no cost,” the company said, according to CBS News. (Starbucks calls its employees “partners.”)

Since Starbucks announced its new dress code, employees have pushed back against it. In May, more than 2,000 baristas at 120 U.S. stores staged a strike to protest the policy, which limits workers to solid black shirts and khaki, black or blue denim bottoms, according to The Associated Press.

Starbucks Workers United, representing 570 of the company’s 10,000 U.S. stores, argues that the dress code should be subject to collective bargaining and has filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board. Some company employees have stated that the move has taken the focus away from other important things to be concerned about.

The new dress code took effect in stores across the U.S. and Canada on May 12. Starbucks initially announced the policy change in April, stating that the uniforms would stand out, in addition to the standard green apron, Blavity reported.

“By updating our dress code, we can deliver a more consistent coffeehouse experience that will also bring simpler and clearer guidance to our partners, which means they can focus on what matters most, crafting great beverages and fostering connections with customers,” the coffee chain stated in a news release at the time.

‘I think it’s extremely tone deaf’

Some employees have expressed concerns about the financial impact of the new dress code, as they are not receiving reimbursement.

Brooke Allen, a full-time college student as well as a Starbucks barista at a store in Davis, California, said her manager told her in July that the Crocs she would typically wear were prohibited due to the policy change, and that she would have to wear proper footwear to work the following day, The New York Post reported.

Allen said she visited three different stores to find the right shoes, which cost her $60.09. She spent an additional $86.95 on new clothes, which included black shirts and jeans.

“I think it’s extremely tone deaf on the company’s part to expect their employees to completely redesign their wardrobe without any compensation,” Allen said, per The New York Post. “A lot of us are already living paycheck to paycheck.”

In addition to Allen, other Starbucks employees have requested reimbursement for clothing and the removal of other prohibited items, such as piercings, but their requests were denied.

Labor unions representing teachers and school employees have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over its immigration crackdown. They say arrests are instigating fear and leading to some children dropping out of school.

The National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers, the two largest teacher unions in the country, allege that immigration arrests at schools are in violation of the law. On Tuesday, they joined a lawsuit that had originally been filed by a group of churches in April in Oregon. They had sued the Trump administration’s directives to open houses of worship to ICE officers, according to the Associated Press.

Why are ICE officers operating at schools and churches?

For decades, ICE agents were told to steer clear of  “sensitive locations” such as schools, hospitals and places of worship. In a 2021 memo, the Department of Homeland Security said officers could “accomplish (its) enforcement mission without denying or limiting individuals’ access to needed medical care, children access to their schools, the displaced access to food and shelter, people of faith access to their places of worship.”

The DHS rescinded the memo shortly after President Donald Trump took office. Instead, ICE agents were told to use “common sense” when cracking down on immigration near schools and churches.

“Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest,” officials said, according to the Associated Press.

Immigration arrests have started being played out at schools and places of worship

Changes in ICE directives have led to immigration arrests being conducted near and around schools. At an Oregon preschool, agents broke a car window and dragged a student’s father from his car after the child had been dropped off, according to the lawsuit. Teachers played music so that students couldn’t hear the scene being played out outside.

“Why a school? Why not someplace else, any place else?” Lauren Fong, the teacher of the child whose father was arrested, said. “It was in the parking lot, where it could be witnessed by so many young children.”

In Los Angeles, ICE agents stopped a car parked next to a high school and handcuffed a 15-year-old boy with disabilities while at gunpoint as they searched for a man with gang ties. Officers released the boy after finding out they had stopped the wrong person, the lawsuit added.

Fear of immigration arrests is leading to students dropping out of school and a drop in Mass attendance

Pennsylvania and Virginia high school teachers said some students stopped showing up to school out of fear of being arrested on campus, according to the lawsuit. A Texas teacher added that there has been a drop in enrollment of students learning English, while a California educator said that children with immigrant parents are no longer being enrolled in special education services.

“America’s classrooms must be safe and welcoming places of learning and discovery,” president of the American Federation of Teachers Randi Weingarten said.

There has also been a drop in Mass attendance, according to church leaders. They allege in the lawsuit that the Trump administration’s allowing arrests at churches violates the First Amendment by making parishioners afraid to go to church. The lawsuit adds that it is a violation of the Administrative Procedure Act, which bars federal agencies from implementing policies that are “arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with the law.”

One of Ben & Jerry’s founders, Jerry Greenfield, has announced he is resigning from the company due to the brand’s social activism being “silenced” by Unilever, the ice cream brand’s parent company. Ben & Jerry’s has advocated for social issues and human rights since its inception in 1978. That independence is being stifled by Unilever out of fear of retaliation from the Trump administration, the founders said.

Jerry Greenfield is leaving the company after 47 years

Ben Cohen shared Greenfield’s announcement on social media on Wednesday and supported his message in his own words.

“I never thought I would have to write this, but after 47 years, Jerry has made the difficult decision to stand down from the company we built together,” Cohen wrote on Instagram. “I am sharing his own words as he resigns from Ben & Jerry’s. His legacy deserves to be true to the values we founded this company on, not silence” by @magnum.”

Greenfield reiterated his love for the ice cream company, highlighting that his decision was driven by what he sees as a loss of independence from the parent company. Unilever bought Ben & Jerry’s in 2000 under the agreement that it would let the ice cream brand continue advocating for social issues.

“What has made their work so important to me, and what allowed the company to be more than just an ice cream company, was the independence to pursue our values, which was guaranteed when Unilever bought the company,” Greenfield wrote. “That independence existed in no small part because of the unique merger agreement Ben and I negotiated with Unilever, one that enshrined our social mission and values in the company’s governance structure in perpetuity. It’s profoundly disappointing to come to the conclusion that independence, the very basis of our sale to Unilever, is gone.”

Greenfield added that this loss of independence comes at a critical time, as Unilever fears retaliation from the Trump administration if it allows speaking out on social issues. 

“It’s happening at a time when our country’s current administration is attacking civil rights, voting rights, the rights of immigrants, women, and the LGBTQ community,” the founder wrote. “Standing up for the values of justice, equity, and our shared humanity has never been more important, and yet Ben & Jerry’s has been silenced, sidelined for fear of upsetting those in power. It’s easy to stand up and speak out when there’s nothing at risk. The real test of values is when times are challenging and you have something to lose.”

Tensions between Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever had culminated in recent years

The news of Greenfield’s departure comes as tensions over the issue increased between Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever in recent years. In 2024, Ben & Jerry’s sued Unilever over allegedly trying to dismantle its independent board in an effort to prevent the ice cream brand from calling for a cease-fire over the war in Gaza, according to The New York Times.

Earlier this year, Ben & Jerry’s accused Unilever of firing its chief executive because he allowed the brand to speak out on political issues.

Greenfield and Cohen have spoken out about a myriad of social and political issues in the past, which have included expressing their support of the Black Lives Matter movement and saying they would end sales in Israeli-occupied territories.

Unilever has reportedly been working to merge Ben & Jerry’s into a new entity named Magnum Ice Cream Company. 

“We disagree with his perspective and have sought to engage both co-founders in a constructive conversation on how to strengthen Ben & Jerry’s powerful values-based position in the world,” a recent Unilever statement said, according to The New York Times.

Last week, Cohen was seen protesting outside of a building in which Magnum Ice Cream Company presented its plans to investors. He shared his presence on social media and wrote: “If Ben & Jerry’s is going to stand up for what matters, we need to be independent.”

Lauryn Hill and her daughter, Selah Marley, nearly stole the show during New York Fashion Week. The mother-daughter duo is rarely seen out together, but fashion brought them front and center at COS’ fashion week showcase, People reported. They also appeared at the KidSuper show.

Selah, a model, is one of five children Hill shares with Bob Marley’s son Rohan Marley.

Lauryn Hill and her daughter, Selah Marley, stepped out in bold looks at NYFW

On Sunday, the pair enjoyed COS’ runway presentation, which was set against Brooklyn’s Greenpoint Terminal Warehouse. The night featured looks pulled straight from the brand’s Autumn/Winter 2025 collection, according to People.

Posing for the cameras, Hill sported an all-black ensemble, layering a leather top under a wool jacket and cinching her waist with a belt. She paired the look with tailored pants and then added bold pops of color through a crimson hat and matching gloves. Her short braids, finished with teal-, black- and brown-colored beads, framed her face.

Lauryn Hill and Selah Marley attend the KidSuper fashion show during September 2025 New York Fashion Week on September 14, 2025 in New York City. | Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Selah, who grew up between Miami, Los Angeles and South Orange, New Jersey, rocked a navy blazer offset with a bright yellow feathered clutch and matching heels.

Selah Marley is carving out her own path in music

According to InStyle, Selah kicked off her modeling career in 2011 and has since appeared in ads for Calvin Klein, Yeezy and Chanel.

“I was in a hotel with my dad, and I was just joking around and said, ‘Oh yeah, Daddy, I want to model,’” she said in an interview with Teen Vogue in 2011. “I don’t know—the camera is just fun.”

Modeling isn’t her only lane, though. Selah is also following in her mother and grandfather’s footsteps.

“People tell me I have to follow in the footsteps of my mom and grandfather, but it’s a lot of pressure—I can’t really slip up and mess up the name,” Selah told Teen Vogue.

The family of Demartravion “Trey” Reed, the 21-year-old student who was found hanging from a tree at Delta State University on Monday, is seeking its own independent investigation and autopsy. University officials and law enforcement have said there is no suspected foul play amid an ongoing investigation, despite concern from leaders nationwide.

Trey Reed’s family is seeking answers independently from local law enforcement

The family is being represented by Jones Law Firm in Hattiesburg, MS. Attorney Vanessa J. Jones said the firm is launching its own investigation into Reed’s death, which will begin with an independent autopsy.

“We will seek answers independently from Delta State University and from the coroner’s office and, if need be, independent from the state coroner’s office because we need answers as to what happened to Trey Reed,” she said during a press conference on Tuesday, according to The Clarion Ledger. “Were there cameras? There should have been cameras at the university that could easily enlighten us to what happened in the early morning of September 15, 2025.”

Jones added that media outlets started reporting on Reed’s death prior to the family’s knowledge of the incident. They were reportedly not consulted before his name was shared with news outlets.

“We’re not here to point fingers—yet. But we will have answers,” Jones said, according to the Mississippi Free Press. “The possible constitutional violations of releasing Trey’s name to the media immediately after it happened—we’ll get to that. But for now, the family is asking for answers.”

Not only is “the family is getting all of their information secondhand through the news,” they were also originally told that Reed had been found in his dorm room, according to Jones.

Police officers told Trey Reed’s family that he was found dead in his dorm room, according to the law firm representing the Reed family. The family discovered later that Trey was found hanging from a tree at Delta State University https://t.co/z1avg2wfvM— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) September 17, 2025

“The Grenada County Sheriff’s Department arrived at Trey’s family’s home … at approximately 9:15, and informed the family that Trey was found dead in his dorm room, in his bed,” she said. 

The family learned afterwards that Reed was found hanging from a tree in the middle of campus, behind the pickleball courts near the Court of Governors dormitories.

Reed’s family has also retained the help of Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump, who will be leading a civil rights investigation into Reed’s death.

“Trey Reed was a young man full of promise and warmth, deeply loved and respected by all who knew him,” a statement read. “His family and the campus community deserve a full, independent investigation to uncover the truth about what happened. We cannot accept vague conclusions when so many questions remain. I stand with this family, and I will lead a team of civil rights leaders and organizations in pursuing transparency and answers for Trey’s family.”

Trey Reed’s family seeks answers after police and Delta State suspect he may have died of suicide

Reed was found hanging from a tree on campus around 7:05 a.m. on Monday. At this time, no cause of death has been officially determined. Yet, Delta State officials said Reed is suspected to have died of suicide. Law enforcement said there is no evidence of foul play amid the investigation and they’re waiting for autopsy results.

The 21-year-old “did not suffer any lacerations, contusions, compound fractures, broken bones, or injuries consistent with an assault,” ​​Bolivar County Coroner Randolph Seals Jr. said his office found in a preliminary examination, per the Mississippi Free Press.

“At this time, there is no evidence to suggest the individual was physically attacked before his death,” the statement read, according to The Clarion Ledger.

Delta State President Dan Ennis announced that the university resumed operations as students, faculty and staff are still mourning.

“We know that none of us will ever fully heal this wound, but we have to go on and go one as best as we can,” he said. “We ask for your continued prayers, support and we ask for your patience.”

Drive-thru restaurant chain Salad and Go is closing down all of its locations in Houston and several others in Texas and Oklahoma. According to Nation’s Restaurant News, Salad and Go CEO Mike Tattersfield confirmed the company will be closing down 41 locations in a statement shared Tuesday, which detailed shutdowns in Houston, Austin and San Antonio as well as in Oklahoma.

“This is a very difficult decision because it impacts team members who have shown extraordinary passion and commitment in serving our guests,” Tattersfield said in the statement, per NRN. “We are deeply grateful for their contributions and the connections they built in their communities.”

Employees told Chron anonymously that they learned of the closures during a company meeting and their last day would be Friday, Sept. 19.

Read on for more about the company’s closures.

Tattersfield said the closures will help the company focus on locations in Dallas and Oklahoma

According to QSR, Tattersfield explained that closures will help the company focus on its remaining Dallas and Oklahoma markets. The company also has Salad and Go locations in Las Vegas, Phoenix and Tucson.

“Concentrating our efforts will allow us to strengthen the brand and invest more in improving quality, driving innovation, and building community,” he noted in a statement, according to QSR.

Tattersfield is a minority owner of the brand and was named CEO of the restaurant chain in April. Previous CEO Charlie Morrison left Salad and Go to assume the same position at Jersey Mike’s.

“At Salad and Go, our purpose is to make delicious, nutritious food accessible to all,” Tattersfield said in a statement, per NRN. “We believe this brand has the power to change how people think about fast food by offering something better, healthier, and more affordable. That is why I joined this company, and it remains the reason I believe so strongly in our future.”

Tattersfield said that though it was a hard decision to make, it’ll help ensure customers get great food at an affordable price.

“We know the change will ultimately give us the foundation we need to grow stronger and make delicious, nutritious food accessible to all,” he added.

Tattersfield also clarified that they will “continue operating all our existing stores in Phoenix, Tucson, and Las Vegas, where our concept is already strong.”

Salad and Go operated over 140 locations as of May

As of May, Salad and Go operated over 140 restaurants nationwide, and the company said it nearly doubled in size in just two years, per QSR. Physical locations are as small as 750 square feet, and the restaurant chain offers customers a selection of signature dishes for under $10. In addition to salads, it also has breakfast burritos and bowls, wraps, soups and snacks on its menu.

According to NRN, the restaurant chain was founded in 2013 in Gilbert, Arizona, by Tony and Roushan Christofellis.

The Atlanta Police Department has a suspect in custody tied to Beyoncé‘s unreleased music being stolen during the Atlanta stop of her Cowboy Carter Tour.

According to the Associated Press, the APD responded to a car break-in and robbery on July 8. The vehicle was a rental car being used by Beyoncé’s choreographer, Christopher Grant, and background dancer, Diandre Blue, according to an official police report. When the investigation first began, authorities assigned to the case used location tracking features on the stolen laptop and headphones. They also searched nearby areas where the devices last pinged. 

At the time, officers flagged a red 2025 Hyundai Elantra as a possible suspect vehicle. Light fingerprints were found at the scene, and surveillance footage from the parking lot reportedly caught the incident as it unfolded.

An arrest warrant was issued for the suspect in mid-July

The Associated Press reported that the APD announced an arrest warrant had been issued for a suspect on July 14. However, the identity of that person wasn’t made public. According to Variety, investigators in the Auto Unit took the lead on solving the case. From their findings, the clues led to the conclusion that Kelvin Evans is responsible for committing the crime. 

The Hapeville Police Department, located 9-10 miles outside of Atlanta, disclosed that an arrest warrant for Evans was issued in July. Weeks later, on Aug. 26, he was apprehended for stealing Beyoncé’s “unreleased music,” as well as “plans for her live show,” including “previous and upcoming set lists.” He was taken into police custody at Fulton County Jail.

Investigators within the APD’s Larceny from Auto Unit led the investigation and subsequently arrested suspect Evans on Aug. 26. According to Hapeville PD, they secured an arrest warrant for the suspect in July, and Evans was booked into the Fulton County Jail weeks later.

Beyoncé’s unreleased music was stolen from a 2024 Jeep Wagoneer

The Associated Press reported that the incident occurred a couple of days before Beyoncé’s four-day concert series at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Grant and Blue told officers that they left the car around 8:09 p.m. and returned a little after 9 p.m., finding that the trunk window had been damaged and two suitcases were missing.

The report showed that five thumb drives containing unreleased music, exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, tour plans and concert set lists were stolen from a 2024 Jeep Wagoneer. Additionally, two MacBook laptops, a pair of Apple headphones and several luxury items were noted to be gone.

Grant told police the theft happened while he was out eating: “I work with someone who’s like, of a high status, and I really need the, um, my computer and everything,” he told the 911 operator, according to WVTM 13.

While Evans sits in Fulton County Jail, investigators confirmed that the stolen items still have not been recovered at this time.

On Wednesday, the name of a teenage girl who was found dead in the trunk of an impounded Tesla registered to singer D4vd (born David Anthony Burke) was released.

Per ABC 7, the 15-year-old named Celeste Rivas was reported missing from Lake Elsinore last year. The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office listed the official cause of death as “deferred.”

Rivas’ body was found inside a bag on Sept. 8 at the Hollywood Tow car lot near Mansfield Avenue and Romaine Street in Hollywood.

What did police previously state about the victim?

As ABC 7 reported, “The girl was described as having wavy black hair, 5 feet 2 inches tall, and weighing 71 pounds. She was found wearing a tube top, black leggings, a yellow metal bracelet and metal stud earrings. She also had a tattoo on her right index finger that said ‘Shhh…’”

Officers say there was a “foul odor” coming from the car. In a statement to NBC News, the Los Angeles Police Department said the following: “At this time, the LAPD does not have a crime classification from the coroner as to the mode or manner of death. Thus, we do not have any suspect information at this time.”

According to the New York Post, Rivas’ mother shared that her daughter once had a boyfriend named David. On top of that, her “Shhh…” tattoo is similar to one of D4vd’s own tattoos.

Who is singer D4vd?

D4vd, who boasts 33 million monthly listeners on Spotify, is best known for his songs “Here with Me” and “Romantic Homicide.” He released his debut album, Withered, on April 25.

According to TMZ, D4vd, who’s 22 years old, is currently touring and had a show planned for Wednesday night, but it’s been canceled. As of now, he has not been charged with any crime.

“D4vd has been informed about what’s happened,” the singer’s rep told NBC Los Angeles on Tuesday. “And, although he is still out on tour, he is fully cooperating with the authorities.”

A New York judge ruled out terrorism charges against Luigi Mangione in a Tuesday ruling. He rejected claims that the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was “intended to evoke terror.” Other charges are still in place, including a second-degree murder count. Mangione is also still facing a federal death penalty prosecution.

Why were terrorism charges dropped against Luigi Mangione?

Judge Gregory Carro ruled that Mangione did not commit an act of terrorism and eliminated two charges in his case. In doing so, the 27-year-old no longer faces the possibility of a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole, according to the Associated Press.

“While the defendant was clearly expressing an animus toward UHC, and the health care industry generally, it does not follow that his goal was to ‘intimidate and coerce a civilian population,’ and indeed, there was no evidence presented of such a goal,” Carro wrote in his decision.

The judge added that there wasn’t enough evidence to show that Mangione tried to influence or affect government policy by intimidation or coercion, which are elements of the terrorism charges.

Mangione’s lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, highlighted the victory for his client: “It’s a big win and it’s the first of many,” he said.

What charges remain against Luigi Mangione?

In New York, Mangione is still facing charges, including a second-degree murder count, requiring prosecutors to prove Mangione intended to kill Thompson. He is also facing a federal death penalty prosecution.

Carro ruled that there was enough evidence showing that he “murdered Brian Thompson in a premeditated and calculated execution.” Mangione faces up to 15 years to life in prison with the possibility of parole due to this charge.

“We respect the Court’s decision and will proceed on the remaining nine counts,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office said in a statement.

Mangione previously pleaded not guilty to several counts of murder. He was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, five days after a masked man shot and killed Thompson in midtown Manhattan on Dec. 4, 2024.

The shooter wrote a manifesto claiming responsibility for the murder and condemning the healthcare system. Bullet casing engraved with the words “deny” and “delay” were found at the scene of the crime.