U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a strong warning Wednesday regarding the increase in arrests in California, in the context of growing protests over immigration raids that have sparked outrage in Latino communities across the state.
During an interview aired on Fox & Friends, Pam Bondi endorsed President Donald Trump’s policy of stepping up immigration actions across the country and directly criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom for his handling of the situation. “President Trump is going to make America safe again. We’re going to protect Americans, and that includes Californians. If Gavin Newsom is not going to protect them, we are,” Bondi told Lawrence Jones III on Fox And Friends on Wednesday.
Threat of federal charges for looting
Pam Bondi warned that anyone committing looting in the midst of the protests will be prosecuted under the Hobbs Act.
It is a 1946 federal legislation that severely punishes theft affecting interstate commerce.
“If you loot a business in California during these protests, you will be charged with theft under the Hobbs Act,” Pam Bondi stated.
“Impunity will no longer be tolerated. Stealing is a serious crime, and images of stores being looted and vandalized will not go without consequences.”
The implementation of this law represents a significant change in the federal government’s response to demonstrations.
Allowing federal prosecutors to act directly on cases previously handled by state authorities.
Violence against security agents
Pam Bondi also denounced what she described as a “wave of violence” against both local and federal law enforcement officers attempting to maintain security during demonstrations.
“We have seen police officers being beaten, insulted and assaulted while trying to protect the community,” he said.
“We have already made more than 190 arrests in conjunction with local and state agencies, and more are expected.”
if you hit an officer, we're coming after you
Protests in California began following recent immigration raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in areas such as Los Angeles and the Central Valley.
Demonstrations were particularly intense in neighborhoods with high immigrant populations.
Aggressive tactics, the use of tear gas and indiscriminate arrests have been reported.
Resilience from California
Buzzy
Governor Gavin Newsom has condemned the federal intervention, calling it unnecessary and provocative.
“The military presence and threats of mass arrests only fuel the conflict,” he said at a recent conference.
Meanwhile, community leaders and human rights defenders have called for calm.
They have also demanded transparency and limits on the use of force by federal authorities.
This episode marks a new escalation in the conflict between the federal government and California, a state that has been a bastion in the defense of immigrant rights in the United States.
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