Briana Rose Lee, identified as the operations director for Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., faced criticism on social media for comments downplaying the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Lee's remarks on X, formerly Twitter, came after Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty to federal charges related to Thompson's death.
Mangione admitted in court on Dec. 4, 2024, that he shot Thompson in Manhattan, stating, "I knew what I was doing." He pleaded guilty to interstate stalking resulting in death and cyberstalking/use of interstate facilities resulting in death. Thompson, a husband and father of two, was the CEO of UnitedHealthcare and resided in the Minneapolis suburbs, near Omar's district. He was in New York City for business at the time of his death.
Lee's post on X read, "You’ll never convince me that Luigi is a villain while everyone in the Epstein files is roaming free." Her social media biography states she handles "operations" for Omar and her LinkedIn profile indicates she has worked for the congresswoman since January 2024. Lee is also listed as the former chairwoman of the Minneapolis Democratic-Farm-Labor (DFL) party.
Lee's comments drew sharp reactions online. One user responded, "You know you have sold your soul for your political beliefs when you are supporting an assassin who murdered a Minnesota father in cold blood. You and many others need to seek help." Another user called her comment "ignorant and psychotic."
Briahna Joy Gray, who served as the national press secretary for Sen. Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign, also made remarks that drew criticism. Gray wrote on X, "Talking about Luigi as a 'killer' without mentioning the tens of thousands of deaths Brian Thompson was responsible for is manufacturing consent for corporate genocide.' The problem with cops is their selective enforcement of crime. It’s about protecting monied interests. Not you."
Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., responded to Gray's post, stating on X, "Luigi Mangione is a cold-blooded assassin who belongs in prison for the rest of his life. Any civilization that lionizes a cold-blooded murderer has forfeited the right to call itself civilized." Gray retorted by calling Torres a "baby killing Zionist coward."
Omar's office and campaign did not respond to requests for comment regarding her staffer's statements. IMAGE6 IMAGE7 
