Internet Users Question Large Police Presence, NYC Mayor Escorting Luigi Mangione to Federal Court: 'They're Sending a Message'

Alleged CEO assassin Luigi Mangione was at the center of an uncharacteristically public escort by a large group of law enforcement on Thursday in New York City, baffling the internet.

A group of NYPD officers in tactical gear, members of the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task force, NYPD motorcycles, two law enforcement boats and Mayor Eric Adams were part of the flock of officials escorting Mangione from the helicopter pad to the federal courthouse, CNN reported.

Mangione faces four federal charges, one of which makes him eligible for the death penalty, and additional separate charges in New York and Pennsylvania for allegedly gunning down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown on Dec. 4.

This case has drawn both positive and critical attention around the world.

"The security around Mangione today is because of what they've been seeing in terms of the public support for him and their security worries about somebody not trying to attack him, but to try and free him from law enforcement," CNN chief law enforcement and intelligence analyst John Miller stated.

Still, internet users offered their own guesses as to why Mangione's "perp walk" was turned into such a spectacle.

"It is absolutely absurd how many police officers and officials are being used to take Luigi Mangioni [sic] to federal court at the Southern District of New York," X user @ArtCandee posted.

"more likely, law enforcement officers want to be on camera with the CEO Assassin. exciting for them to see themselves on news bulletins & show their children videos---"Here's what your Daddy does at work!" flattering to the Assassin, too. what bad boy wouldn't be thrilled to require 25 armed men to escort him even while shackled," author Joyce Carol Oates offered.

"Yes let's demystify this guy by making him look like the joker or the bad guy from the SWAT movie," X user @IdahoBones said.

"Lmao this is such performative shit. They really want to act like he's a terrorist that has been on the FBI top 5 most wanted list. You would think he bombed a hospital," another X user mused.

"In this picture, at least 15 people are escorting Luigi Mangione in NYC after extradition. There's about $50,000 of tactical gear surrounding him. No bulletproof vest on Mangione. Glad the NYPD and FBI are keeping us safe. Your tax dollars at work," comedian Nick Jack Pappas shared.

"I have never seen multiple police agencies& federal agents essentially do a photo op with a suspect as if they're a prize pig. They didn't even do this with those brothers who were throwing bombs all around the city like comic villains. This is about sending a message to the public," X user @LizzMurr56 declared.

"You can really tell we're in a dearth of cultural literacy just across the board cause if the goal here was to shame him with all these theatrics when what they've really done is make him look calm, he's fairly tall (?), and handsome. Just more fuel for fan edits," X user @JayElHarris added.

Social media users also wondered why New York City Mayor Eric Adams was present.

"yes. if we learned one thing about Eric Adams it's that he *does* need to be everywhere," one X user joked.

"bro's life is a movie why are they treating him like a mafia boss. also eric adams behind him???? that's crazy," another X user added.

"Eric Adams getting a feel for it for when it's his turn," X user @microthreads_ joked, referring to the mayor bring indicted on federal charges of bribery, fraud and soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations earlier this year.

"eric adams is such a loser lmao like go do your job???" X user @muckers_ said.

Adams defended his presence to reporters after Mangione's escort.

"This act of terrorism and the violence that stems from (Mangione's case) is something that will not be tolerated in the city. We wanted to personally be here to show the symbolism of leading from the front," Adams said, according to CNN.

He also said support for Mangione is "vile" and "sends the wrong message" about gun violence in America.