U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Monday that at least nine individuals involved in recent Los Angeles protests will face federal charges, as the Trump administration moves to crack down on demonstrations sparked by immigration enforcement actions.
Speaking on Fox News, Bondi said protesters are being charged with assaulting police using Molotov cocktails, looting, and spitting on officers. “We are going to prosecute them federally,” she said. “If California won’t protect their law enforcement, we will protect the LAPD and the sheriff’s office out there.”
Related posts
Protests erupted in parts of Los Angeles, including Compton, following federal immigration raids. Although California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass argued that additional forces were unnecessary, President Trump deployed National Guard troops and 700 Marines to the region.
Bondi warned of harsher penalties for attacking federal officers. “You spit. We hit,” she said. “If you spit on a federal law enforcement officer, we are going to charge you federally. You’re looking at up to five years in prison.”
Among those charged is David Huerta, president of the Service Employees International Union California, who was injured and arrested during a downtown protest. He was later released on a $50,000 bond.
The administration’s aggressive federal response contrasts with Trump’s decision to pardon around 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Meanwhile, state leaders are pushing back. Newsom’s office has filed a lawsuit to reverse the federal deployments, claiming they inflame tensions. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to authorize military arrests of demonstrators—a claim neither DHS nor the Pentagon has confirmed.
“You can run, you can’t hide,” Bondi warned. “If you assault a police officer, rob, loot, or spit—we’re coming after you.”
