In a decisive political shift for Los Angeles County, newly elected District Attorney Nathan Hochman has signaled a sharp change in direction from his predecessor, pledging a more aggressive approach to prosecuting crime, with a specific focus on illegal immigration and regional criminal activity. Hochman’s victory over incumbent George Gascón, whom he defeated by a commanding 20-point margin, reflects a growing backlash against progressive prosecutorial policies in one of the nation’s largest jurisdictions.
Hochman, a former federal prosecutor and ex-president of the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission, ran a campaign focused on restoring public trust in the criminal justice system. Central to his platform was a promise to reverse what he called a period of “minimal consequences” for criminal conduct under Gascón’s administration. His emphasis on accountability, especially regarding illegal immigration-related offenses, marks a significant departure from recent policy trends in the county.
In his post-election address, Hochman declared, “The era of soft-on-crime policies is over in Los Angeles County. We will enforce the law without fear or favor, and that includes holding accountable those who enter our country illegally and commit crimes within our communities.”
While Hochman clarified that his office will not target individuals based solely on immigration status, he pledged to coordinate with federal immigration authorities when criminal conduct intersects with immigration violations. This includes cases involving human trafficking, gang activity, or repeat offenders with undocumented status. His stance aligns with broader national debates about the role of local prosecutors in immigration enforcement, an issue that has sharply divided public opinion.
Under Gascón, the District Attorney’s Office had adopted policies limiting cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and focused on alternatives to incarceration, including diversion programs and reduced sentencing for non-violent offenses. Supporters of these policies argued they helped reduce recidivism and addressed systemic inequities in the justice system. Critics, however, accused the former DA of allowing crime to escalate by not sufficiently deterring criminal behavior.
Hochman’s approach is likely to resonate with voters concerned about public safety. In recent years, Los Angeles has faced spikes in certain categories of crime, including property crime and organized retail theft. While overall violent crime has declined in some areas, public perception of lawlessness—particularly following a wave of high-profile thefts and carjackings—played a pivotal role in the election outcome.
The new district attorney has also vowed to pursue harsher penalties for repeat offenders, bolster support for law enforcement agencies, and revisit some of the office’s prior sentencing and plea deal policies. He emphasized a need to “rebalance justice” by protecting victims’ rights while maintaining fairness in the legal process.
Civil rights organizations and immigrant advocacy groups have voiced concerns about Hochman’s emphasis on immigration-related enforcement. They warn that increased cooperation with federal agencies could have a chilling effect on immigrant communities, discouraging victims and witnesses from coming forward. “We must not return to a model where fear drives people into the shadows,” said Maria Elena Durazo, a California state senator and longtime advocate for immigrant rights. “Justice must be applied fairly, without turning our back on vulnerable communities.”
Despite the controversy, Hochman has received strong backing from law enforcement unions, business groups, and centrist Democrats, who argue that his leadership could restore public confidence in the justice system. His challenge now will be balancing the calls for stricter law enforcement with constitutional protections and civil liberties.
As he begins his term, Hochman inherits a vast legal apparatus that handles more than 100,000 criminal cases annually. His decisions in the coming months are likely to set the tone not only for Los Angeles County but also for other jurisdictions grappling with similar debates over criminal justice reform and public safety.