Nathan Hochman has officially taken the reins as the 44th District Attorney of Los Angeles County after being sworn in Tuesday on the front steps of the Hall of Justice. The former federal prosecutor defeated incumbent George Gascón in what has been seen as a decisive victory, capturing the vote with a margin suggesting a mandate for tougher crime policies. Hochman, a former Republican turned independent, garnered just under 60% of the vote compared to Gascón's 1.3 million votes, as reported by NBC Los Angeles.

During an event punctuated with the presence of local leaders, and officiated by former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Hochman laid out his vision for the office. He criticized his predecessor's approach, aligning himself with voters who felt a change in direction is crucial. According to a statement obtained by ABC7, Hochman plans to review cases individually and issue punishments proportional to the crime, a stark departure from policies perceived as lenient during Gascón's tenure.

Hochman's election signals a pivotal shift in Los Angeles County's prosecutorial philosophy, one that is expected to emphasize a harder stance on crime. Hochman has inherited numerous issues from Gascón, including the high-profile Menendez brothers' case. The newly-minted district attorney promised a comprehensive review, stating, "I will do the hard work to make the right decision," in a KTLA interview.

With violent crime statistics presenting a mixed bag across the county, Hochman's approach to public safety will be closely scrutinized. According to the California Department of Justice, while violent crime rose about 8% from 2019 to 2023 countywide, it saw about a 6% decrease in Los Angeles, a narrative at odds within the county's own bounds. Schwarzenegger, during the swearing-in event, expressed dissatisfaction with the region's recent direction, blaming it on a failure to protect the populace, a sentiment shared by Hochman and echoed by NBC Los Angeles.