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New York Post
12-06-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
California looters now face ‘hard-charging' consequences after blue state abandoned soft-on-crime approach
Amid the continuing unrest and flash mob-style looting incidents in Los Angeles, California is making a significant pivot toward tougher criminal enforcement. Criminal defense attorney David Wohl told Fox News Digital that the legal consequences are no longer a slap on the wrist for looters following the reversal of Proposition 47, which notably did not criminalize theft under $950. Advertisement 'Now we have a very conservative, hard-charging DA in Los Angeles,' Wohl said. 'He's adding up what is stolen by each individual co-defendant, and if that's over $950, everybody's getting charged with felonies.' In a city once known for turning a blind eye to petty theft and soft prosecution, looters who are taking advantage of protests over federal immigration operations now face stricter penalties. In 2014, California voters approved Proposition 47, a ballot initiative that reclassified several nonviolent felonies, including shoplifting, theft and drug possession, as misdemeanors if the value involved was $950 or less. Supporters argued the measure would reduce prison overcrowding and redirect state funds to additional programming. Advertisement 8 Vulgar graffiti was spray-painted onto an Apple store after it was looted during the riots in Los Angeles on June 10, 2025. REUTERS 8 Protesters loot a gas station convenience store in Paramount, California on June 7, 2025. Getty Images Critics argued that it contributed to a noticeable increase in retail theft and emboldened looters. In 2024, voters voiced their concerns and overwhelmingly chose a sharp course correction from the progressive reforms that Proposition 47 implemented and voted in favor of Proposition 36. Advertisement Prop 36 restored the ability to file felony charges against repeat offenders, regardless of whether their latest crime falls under the $950 limit. It also enhances penalties for group theft and organized looting, which had previously fallen into legal gray zones under Prop 47. 8 Police officers detain a group of protesters in the streets of Los Angeles on June 11, 2025. AFP via Getty Images The shift stems from a growing rejection of the previous criminal justice model championed by former District Attorney George Gascon, who Wohl described as 'more liberal than a lot of public defenders.' Advertisement Under Gascon's leadership, prosecution was often delayed or diminished, with an emphasis on giving offenders 'second, third, fourth, fifth chances,' Wohl said. William Jacobson, a law professor at Cornell University and founder of offered a sharp critique of California's criminal justice policies in light of the emergence of looters during the ongoing L.A. protests against immigration enforcement. 8 Graffiti is sprayed onto the glass windows of an Apple store hit by looters during the Anti-ICE riots in California. REUTERS 8 Apple products are scattered around a store that was looted during the Los Angeles riots on June 9, 2025. REUTERS 'Looting and violence have always been illegal, even in California,' Jacobson told Fox News Digital. 'Unfortunately, California's lax enforcement of the criminal laws, including the former decriminalization of shoplifting, has created a culture of criminality that has played out in numerous riots over the years.' 'The current riots against immigration enforcement and violence targeting both ICE and the community are part of the California political ecosystem,' he said. Looters in LA Several stores across downtown Los Angeles were hit by looters in the early morning hours as anti-ICE riots continued. On Monday night, looters took to the streets and ransacked a series of storefronts, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed with Fox News Digital. Apple and Adidas were among the stores hit by thieves, as well as several mom-and-pop shops. Advertisement 'What have they done to my business? I don't know,' one local business owner shared with Fox News affiliate KKTV. 'I have to go inside and see what's going on. I don't know what they have done with the business.' 8 A shoe sits on the floor in an empty Adidas store attacked by looters in Los Angeles. ALLISON DINNER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock 8 Workers board up a CVS pharmacy after it was looted by rioters in Los Angeles on June 10, 2025. REUTERS One video, taken by Brendan Gutenschwager, captured looters ransacking an Apple storefront on Monday night. Advertisement The video captured a slew of individuals dashing up to the technology storefront and grabbing goods before dispersing as police arrived. The footage captured the store's glass windows spray-painted with 'F— ICE.' Other photos showed ransackers disappearing into the night with stolen goods after a smash-and-grab in Compton, a city south of Los Angeles. It was unclear if the thieves were participating in the ongoing anti-ICE protests or if they were being opportunistic of the city's unrest. Advertisement 'Let me be clear: ANYONE who vandalized Downtown or looted stores does not care about our immigrant communities,' Mayor Karen Bass said in a post to X. 'You will be held accountable.' On Tuesday and Wednesday, after continued protests, other businesses set out to protect their stores. Fox News Digital saw a T-Mobile store on the corner of 3rd Street and Broadway boarding up ahead of likely another night of protests in the city. While a security guard protected the property, a repairer worked on the CVS store on the corner of 7th and Spring streets in downtown Los Angeles after several nights of rioting. Attorney General Pam Bondi offered a blunt message to would-be robbers and looters in the deep-blue city on 'Fox & Friends' Tuesday. Advertisement 'If you loot a business in California during this, we're charging you with robbery under the Hobbs Act. No longer are the days of non-prosecution for looting. It's a criminal act,' she said. 8 Police officers detained masked protesters after a demonstration near Los Angeles City Hall on June 11, 2025. AFP via Getty Images The administration is also determined to crack down on those who inflict harm on law enforcement. 'We've all made over 190 arrests, [and] more [are] coming. If you hit a police officer, you assault a police officer, state or federal, we are coming after you.'
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
MTSU faces federal civil rights complaints over minority-preference scholarships
Middle Tennessee State University faces a federal civil rights complaint accusing MTSU of discrimination through 17 minority-preferred scholarships. The Equal Protection Project based in Barrington, Rhode Island, filed the complaint May 8 with the Office of Civil Rights for the U.S. Department of Education offices in Washington and Atlanta, according to a document shared with a press release embargoed for 1 p.m. May 8. The complaining organization's press release included comments from William A. Jacobson, founder of the Equal Protection Project ( "The use of DEI in higher education is controversial, particularly in 'red' states,'" Jacobson said in the press release. "Regardless of where one stands on DEI, violation of the Civil Rights Act is unlawful. It is time for higher education everywhere to focus on treating each student as an individual, rather than categorizing students based on identity groups." The 17 scholarships mentioned in the complaint included the Edith Ann Clark Moore Scholarship with the following guideline: 'Preference will also be afforded to students whoare underrepresented minorities.' Moore grew up in the Murfreesboro area and attended the former historic Cemetery School that served Black children prior to desegregation in Rutherford County. "It is shocking that in a state like Tennessee, which has passed legislation seeking to avoid discrimination done in the name of DEI, that openly discriminatory scholarships are offered at a major state university," Jacobson said in the press release. "MTSU has strong non-discrimination policies. MTSU should live up to its own rules, and remove the discriminatory eligibility barriers it has erected. "At EPP our guiding principle is that the remedy for racism never is more racism. To the extent MTSU seeks greater diversity, there are many lawful means of achieving that goal, but discrimination is not one of them." This is a developing story. The DNJ has reached out MTSU for comment. History of school for Black children: Murfreesboro Cemetery School to be restored by descendants of students who went there The press release offered the following additional comments from Jacobson. "The Equal Protection Project calls on the senior administration of MTSU to make sure nondiscrimination standards are upheld throughout the institution," the release said. "At EPP we have filed almost 100 cases challenging over 300 discriminatory scholarships and programs. In no case are we aware of a school claiming it was free to discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national origin, so why does it keep happening? Unfortunately there is a culture on many campuses that excuses some forms of racial discrimination, and that needs to stop. Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@ To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription. This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: MTSU faces federal civil rights complaints over minority scholarships
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
MTSU faces federal civil rights complaints over minority-preference scholarships
Middle Tennessee State University faces a federal civil rights complaint accusing MTSU of discrimination through 17 minority-preferred scholarships. The Equal Protection Project based in Barrington, Rhode Island, filed the complaint May 8 with the Office of Civil Rights for the U.S. Department of Education offices in Washington and Atlanta, according to a document shared with a press release embargoed for 1 p.m. May 8. The complaining organization's press release included comments from William A. Jacobson, founder of the Equal Protection Project ( "The use of DEI in higher education is controversial, particularly in 'red' states,'" Jacobson said in the press release. "Regardless of where one stands on DEI, violation of the Civil Rights Act is unlawful. It is time for higher education everywhere to focus on treating each student as an individual, rather than categorizing students based on identity groups." The 17 scholarships mentioned in the complaint included the Edith Ann Clark Moore Scholarship with the following guideline: 'Preference will also be afforded to students whoare underrepresented minorities.' Moore grew up in the Murfreesboro area and attended the former historic Cemetery School that served Black children prior to desegregation in Rutherford County. "It is shocking that in a state like Tennessee, which has passed legislation seeking to avoid discrimination done in the name of DEI, that openly discriminatory scholarships are offered at a major state university," Jacobson said in the press release. "MTSU has strong non-discrimination policies. MTSU should live up to its own rules, and remove the discriminatory eligibility barriers it has erected. "At EPP our guiding principle is that the remedy for racism never is more racism. To the extent MTSU seeks greater diversity, there are many lawful means of achieving that goal, but discrimination is not one of them." This is a developing story. The DNJ has reached out MTSU for comment. History of school for Black children: Murfreesboro Cemetery School to be restored by descendants of students who went there The press release offered the following additional comments from Jacobson. "The Equal Protection Project calls on the senior administration of MTSU to make sure nondiscrimination standards are upheld throughout the institution," the release said. "At EPP we have filed almost 100 cases challenging over 300 discriminatory scholarships and programs. In no case are we aware of a school claiming it was free to discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national origin, so why does it keep happening? Unfortunately there is a culture on many campuses that excuses some forms of racial discrimination, and that needs to stop. Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@ To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription. This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: MTSU faces federal civil rights complaints over minority scholarships
Fox News
15-03-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Evening Edition: Attempt To Deport Anti-Israel Activist Sparks Legal Discussion
Anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil will remain in ICE detention in Louisiana as he faces possible deportation proceedings, sparking more protests at Columbia University in New York City. Khalil, 30, a Palestinian raised in Syria, was arrested by ICE at his university-owned apartment for his alleged involvement in the massive anti-Israel protests at Columbia last year. Khalil's green card has been revoked by the Trump administration but his supporters question why he hasn't been charged with a crime. FOX's Eben Brown speaks with William A. Jacobson, Cornell University Law Professor & Founder of who breaks down the legal reason these students can be removed from the country. Click Here To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Civil rights group alleges a Michigan college's scholarship focused on trans-racial adoptees is discriminatory
A complaint filed by a civil rights organization on Wednesday claims that Calvin University, a Christian liberal arts university in Michigan, is discriminating on the basis of sex and race. "The large number (65) of discriminatory scholarships at Calvin is shocking," Cornell professor William Jacobson and founder of the Equal Protection Project, told Fox News Digital in a statement. "At we have challenged discriminatory programs and scholarships at over 60 colleges and universities, but never have we seen such a large number at any single institution." Randi Weingarten 'Really Angry' Over Ed Dept Elimination Months After Saying Union Members 'Don't Really Care' The scholarships that the Equal Protection Project alleges are discriminatory are the Endurance Scholarship, which requires the applicant to "self-identify as an African American who is a U.S. citizen," and the Trans-Racial Adoptee Scholarship, which requires applicant to be "trans-racially adopted," and the Carol L. Faber Math Scholarship, which requires that "first preference is for a female student." The scholarship amounts are $3,000, $3,500, and $3,100 respectively. The Equal Protection Project maintains these scholarship programs violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits educational institutions that receive federal funding from discriminating on the basis of race, color or national origin, as well as Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex or gender for entities that receive federal funding. Read On The Fox News App In 2020, Calvin University received a $935,000 grant from the Department of Education or $187,000 per year for five years, for students who have disabilities, are low-income, or who are first-generation. On its website, Calvin University lists federal grants for students that include a $7,395 Pell Grant, a supplemental educational opportunity grant for up to $2,000, and a TEACH grant for up to $4,000. Jacobson told Fox News Digital that he hopes Education Secretary Linda McMahon will focus on restoring civil rights. "While the Department of Education is undergoing a restructuring, enforcement of the civil rights laws to eliminate DEI discrimination remains a stated priority of the new Trump administration," Jacobson said. "We hope that Secretary McMahon will maintain this focus on civil rights enforcement in order to advance the administration's overall civil rights agenda. To scale back enforcement would be self-defeating and would undermine efforts to eliminate discrimination done in the name of DEI in higher education." On Tuesday, Department of Education employees received a "reduction in force" notice before about half of the department's employees were let go. Nearly Half Of Department Of Education Staff Will Be Eliminated Imminently In its complaint, the Equal Protection Project quotes Justice Antonin Scalia's concurring opinion in Richmond v. J. A. Croson Co., where he said that "discrimination on the basis of race is illegal, immoral, unconstitutional, inherently wrong and destructive of a democratic society." "Accordingly, we respectfully ask that the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights prioritize and expedite this complaint given the sheer number of discriminatory scholarships at Calvin reflecting a systematic disregard for Titles VI and IX, promptly open a formal investigation, impose such remedial relief as the law permits for the benefit of those who have been illegally excluded from Calvin's various scholarships based on discriminatory criteria, and ensure that all ongoing and future scholarships and programming at Calvin comports with the federal civil rights laws," the complaint continues. Fox News Digital reached out to Calvin University for comment and has not yet received a article source: Civil rights group alleges a Michigan college's scholarship focused on trans-racial adoptees is discriminatory
