### New DA Pledges to Restore Trust in Los Angeles Criminal Justice System

Los Angeles County's newly elected District Attorney, Nathan Hochman, has vowed to rebuild community trust following the ousting of first-term progressive DA George Gascon. Gascon, who received less than 40% of the vote in the election, was defeated by Hochman, a former federal prosecutor. In his campaign, Hochman criticized Gascon's policies for allegedly compromising public safety.

"The office has to rebuild trust with its own prosecutors," Hochman told Fox News Digital. "He lost trust and credibility with law enforcement, with victims, and with victims' families. From day one, I have to rebuild that trust."

Gascon, who took office in 2020 amid a national push for criminal justice reform, expressed disappointment in the election results. In a statement, he described the rightward shift across America as "heartbreaking," but affirmed his pride in the reforms implemented during his tenure.

Gascon's policies, such as eliminating cash bail and refusing to try underage defendants charged with violent crimes as adults, drew significant criticism for being too lenient. He also faced backlash for co-authoring Proposition 47, which reduced certain thefts and drug offenses from felonies to misdemeanors. This law has been blamed for an increase in retail thefts during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hochman plans to reverse many of Gascon's policies, which he describes as "blanket, extreme pro-criminal policies." He aims to prioritize public safety and accountability, tackling issues such as gang violence more assertively.

During Gascon's administration, he survived two recall attempts, indicating significant public concern over his approach to law enforcement. However, on the same election day, voters supported Proposition 36, which rolls back parts of Prop 47 by heightening penalties for specific crimes, including theft.

Hochman received endorsements from police unions, several of Gascon's own prosecutors, and numerous local officials. His victory marks a significant shift in Los Angeles' approach to criminal justice.

In a broader trend signaling a shift away from progressive criminal justice policies, Alameda County's DA Pamela Price was also recalled after two years in office, and Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao was removed from office with 65% of the vote in a recall effort. In San Francisco, Mayor London Breed appeared to be losing her re-election bid to Daniel Lurie in the city's first round of ranked-choice voting.

"There is a clear call for sensible reform balanced with public protection," Eric Siddall, a Los Angeles county prosecutor, noted. "Voters have shown they want both reform and security." Hochman added that there is a consensus across the political spectrum about the importance of prioritizing public safety and holding criminals accountable.