Hawley Launches Probe Into LA Riot Funding: ‘This Violence Isn’t Spontaneous’
Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) is launching a formal Senate probe into the funding network behind the ongoing riots in Los Angeles—making him the first Republican lawmaker to publicly pursue accountability amid growing concerns about the well-organized and well-equipped mobs overwhelming law enforcement.
For nearly a week, disturbing footage from Los Angeles has shown agitators decked out in expensive riot gear—face shields, noise-canceling headphones, tactical padding—all in anticipation of confrontations with federal agents. The unrest erupted after a major U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation over the weekend.
Even some traditionally liberal voices in the Los Angeles media have expressed alarm at the level of preparation among demonstrators, who appear trained and shielded against non-lethal measures used by National Guard troops and military police.
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View PlansSenator Hawley, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism, made clear on Wednesday that this is no organic uprising. "Who is funding the LA riots? This violence isn’t spontaneous," he posted on social media. He announced his committee would open an investigation into the groups involved.
Who is funding the LA riots? This violence isn’t spontaneous. As chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime & Terrorism, I’m launching an investigation to find out - pic.twitter.com/B4qaN8qbZP
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) June 11, 2025
A key focus of Hawley's inquiry is the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA)—a radical nonprofit based in Los Angeles with deep ties to Democrat politicians and labor unions. The organization has been linked to numerous protests that spiraled into violent mob activity. Notably, CHIRLA received millions in taxpayer funds under the Biden administration and played a central role in organizing demonstrations following the ICE raid.
In a sharply worded letter to CHIRLA’s executive director, Senator Hawley condemned the group's escalating tactics.
“While peaceful protest is a cornerstone of American democracy, these demonstrations have escalated into lawless mob actions. They have obstructed federal law enforcement, endangered public safety, and disrupted the rule of law. This lawlessness is unacceptable. It must end,” the letter states.
Hawley’s subcommittee, armed with subpoena power, is demanding full transparency. Requests include all communication records related to protest coordination, detailed financials on gear purchases, and documentation involving donor funding, media strategy, travel arrangements, and hotel expenses for activists.
“Failure to comply will result in additional action by this Subcommittee, including potential referral for criminal investigation,” Hawley warned.
The call for a federal investigation gained further momentum after California-based attorney Laura Powell published a bombshell exposé on X (formerly Twitter), identifying CHIRLA as a major driver of the violence.
“If you are a Californian, the current LA riots are an example of your tax dollars hard at work,” Powell wrote. She revealed that CHIRLA is not only at the forefront of anti-ICE actions but also leads the Los Angeles Rapid Response Network, which monitors enforcement activity and mobilizes activists to counter federal operations.
According to Powell, CHIRLA’s deep-rooted connections to the California Democratic establishment are hard to ignore. The group reportedly works closely with organized labor—particularly SEIU—and maintains a cozy relationship with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, a longtime progressive ally.
If you are a Californian, the current LA riots are an example of your tax dollars hard at work.
— Laura Powell (@LauraPowellEsq) June 9, 2025
The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Right—CHIRLA—is one of the key players in fomenting the violent response to immigration enforcement actions. It’s an LA-based nonprofit with a… pic.twitter.com/PSzSsdu0hg
Powell's research uncovered that CHIRLA received a staggering $34 million in state funding for the fiscal year ending in June 2023—primarily via the California Department of Social Services. That figure made up 72% of the group’s total revenue, nearly triple its previous annual intake.
Additionally, CHIRLA secured a $450,000 federal contract last year, which Mayor Bass claimed credit for helping obtain. Although the Department of Homeland Security froze the funds earlier this year, prompting a lawsuit from CHIRLA, the contract was eventually canceled, and the legal challenge withdrawn.
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View Plans“Eisenhower warned of the military-industrial complex—now we face a nonprofit-industrial complex,” Powell concluded.
As tensions escalate and evidence mounts, Senator Hawley’s investigation could expose a deeply embedded funding web where radical activism is subsidized by the American taxpayer—and shielded by Democratic political power.