The Trump administration is cracking down hard on the chaos in Los Angeles with a legal sledgehammer called the Hobbs Act.
Breitbart reported that rioters and looters from anti-ICE protests have trashed businesses, prompting Attorney General Pam Bondi to announce federal charges under the Hobbs Act, while also pushing California to declare an economic disaster for federal aid that has yet to materialize.
Let’s rewind to the mess unfolding in Los Angeles, where anti-ICE riots have spiraled into outright lawlessness.
Drug stores have been stripped bare, and even the Apple store got hit— all broadcast live for the world to see. It’s not just petty theft; it’s a brazen attack on commerce itself.
Enter the Hobbs Act, a federal statute that doesn’t mess around. As per the Department of Justice, it targets robbery or extortion impacting interstate commerce in any form, and it’s got teeth— think up to 20 years behind bars for those caught looting.
Attorney General Bondi didn’t mince words on this one: “If you loot a store, we are going to charge you with robbery under the Hobbs Act, and you’re looking at a maximum of 20 years in prison.” Well, there you have it— turns out actions have consequences, and they come with a hefty federal price tag.
Bondi also pointed out a curfew imposed on Tuesday night in Los Angeles, which had some effect in curbing the chaos. Still, with storefronts shattered and small businesses reeling, a curfew feels like slapping a Band-Aid on a broken leg.
While the Trump administration swings into action, California’s leadership seems stuck in neutral. Bondi didn’t hold back, stating, “If he [Governor Gavin Newsom] wasn’t going to keep California safe, the Trump administration would.” Ouch— that’s a polite but pointed jab at state inaction.
The feds are also urging California to declare an economic disaster to unlock aid for struggling businesses through the Small Business Administration (SBA).
So far, no such declaration has been made, leaving federal support on the sidelines. It’s a head-scratcher when help is ready but bureaucratic red tape stands in the way.
SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler echoed the frustration, saying, “The migrant mob has looted stores, destroyed storefronts, and committed criminal acts of vandalism against our small businesses.” She’s not wrong— these aren’t just protests; they’re a direct hit on the backbone of local economies.
Loeffler added a call to action: “Although local leaders are allowing Los Angeles to burn, federal partners are ready to help American citizens rebuild – and we will do so, as soon as the Governor answers their call for help.” That’s a not-so-subtle nudge to Governor Newsom— the ball’s in your court, sir.
Bondi also highlighted the missed opportunity for aid, noting, “Had they done that, Kelly Loeffler and the Small Business Association could have come in and helped, given federal aid to all these businesses in California.” It’s a shame to see small business owners, already battered by riots, left waiting for a lifeline.
Let’s be clear: the Hobbs Act isn’t just a legal tool; it’s a message. It says that law and order matter, even when progressive policies seem to prioritize optics over safety. The Trump administration’s move here is a stand for those who play by the rules.
Critics might argue this is federal overreach, but when local leaders fail to act, someone has to step up.
The images of raided stores and shattered windows aren’t just news clips; they’re a cry for help from communities under siege.
So, while California dithers on declaring an economic disaster, the Trump administration is drawing a line in the sand with the Hobbs Act. It’s a reminder that looting isn’t a protest tactic— it’s a crime, and one that could cost offenders two decades of freedom.