Trump admin approves disaster loans for LA businesses hit by anti-ICE riots
In a recent turn of events, the Trump administration has approved millions in disaster relief loans for small businesses that were affected by the anti-ICE riots that swept through Los Angeles in June. This decision comes after Governor Gavin Newsom downplayed the riots and shifted the blame onto the Trump administration, causing chaos and confusion among local businesses.
The Small Business Administration, led by Kelly Loeffler, announced the approval of an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) declaration requested by Newsom’s government. This declaration allows small businesses to apply for up to $2 million in low-interest loans to help cover working capital and operating expenses that were impacted by the destruction caused during the riots.
Loeffler criticized Governor Newsom for his handling of the situation, stating that he allowed a mob to rampage through Los Angeles and stood with violent rioters instead of supporting law-abiding citizens. Despite an estimated $1 billion in damages, Newsom refused federal relief for weeks and insisted that the riots were peaceful, leaving small business owners to suffer in the aftermath.
The approval of disaster relief for affected businesses follows a previous allocation of $2.99 billion in loans earlier this year for businesses impacted by California wildfires in January. This marks the largest sum of disaster relief ever approved by the SBA for non-hurricane or flooding events.
The riots in Los Angeles erupted after federal law enforcement officials conducted immigration raids in the city, sparking protests that quickly turned violent. Newsom and other local leaders condemned the raids and offered support to illegal immigrants, leading to further chaos and destruction as rioters targeted law enforcement officials and local businesses.
Despite the violence and damage caused by the riots, Newsom continued to blame the Trump administration for the chaos, even as federal officials deployed resources to help restore order. The governor rejected describing the events as riots and instead focused on criticizing Trump’s immigration policies and actions during the crisis.
President Trump and Governor Newsom engaged in a war of words on social media and in public statements throughout the protests and riots, with Trump ultimately deploying the National Guard to help quell the violence. The situation finally calmed down following national protests and military displays on June 14, bringing an end to the chaos in Los Angeles.
As the dust settles, small businesses in Los Angeles can now apply for much-needed disaster relief loans to help them recover from the devastation caused by the riots. The approval of these loans serves as a lifeline for businesses struggling to rebuild and move forward in the aftermath of the violence and destruction that swept through the city.
