BREAKING: The federal judge overseeing the Justice Department’s prosecution of Luigi Mangione ordered DOJ on Wednesday to explain by October 3, via sworn declaration, why DOJ officials continue to make egregious statements about Mangione that the judge said appear to violate local court rules and an earlier court order in the case.

Wednesday’s order followed a Tuesday filing by Mangione’s lawyers detailing several recent comments made by administration officials.

The rule, U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett noted, bars lawyers from making public statements in connection with a criminal case “if there is a substantial likelihood that the dissemination will interfere with a fair trial or otherwise prejudice the due administration of justice."

As to Mangione’s case, she wrote, “The statements referenced in the September 23 Letter by two high-ranking staff members of the Department of Justice, including within the Office of Attorney General, appear to be in direct violation of this Rule and the Court's April 25 Order.”

Garnett, a Biden appointee, warned that sanctions could follow if there are future violations. Garnett also noted that these new statements will be considered within Mangione's broader motion challenging the use of the death penalty in his case — and can be responded to by DOJ in its response there as well.