New York State is considering the launch of a dedicated “CEO threats hotline” in response to the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The proposal, championed by Governor Kathy Hochul, aims to bolster security measures for corporate leaders facing threats, especially in the wake of the public and controversial praise for the alleged shooter, Luigi Mangione.
Mangione, a 26-year-old graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, is accused of shooting Thompson from behind in Midtown Manhattan on December 4. He has denied the charges, which include first-degree murder, terrorism, and weapons-related offenses. His arrest occurred days later in Pennsylvania, where he awaits extradition to New York.
Governor Hochul is slated to meet with representatives from over 175 corporations, Homeland Security, and counterterrorism agencies to strategize on improved threat communication and security for corporate executives. The discussion comes as police and officials condemn the public’s celebration of Thompson’s killing, calling it “shocking and appalling.”
The hotline proposal underscores a growing concern over the demonization of CEOs, a sentiment Kathy Wylde of the Partnership for New York City tied to historical rhetoric from the 2008 financial crisis. The meeting will focus on sharing threat intelligence and providing counterterrorism resources to prevent similar incidents in the future.
