'We're not scared': Pam Bondi dodges questions on taking controversial step

Attorney General Pam Bondi repeatedly declined to say what President Donald Trump's threshold was for invoking the Insurrection Act in California.

At a press gaggle on Wednesday, a reporter asked Bondi what events would force the president to use his powers to deploy troops under the 1807 law.

"What is his bar for invoking the Insurrection Act?" the reporter wondered.

"Right now it's keeping California safe," Bondi replied. "If Gavin Newsom isn't going to keep California safe, we are. You know, they imposed a curfew last night. I think that helped a bit."

The Attorney General suggested theft might be a reason to take drastic measures.

"The Apple store just got raided. I mean, we're all watching this live on the news," she said. "And this isn't just looting to me. You think people just run in and take something, leave, and nothing happens?"

"If you loot a store, we are going to charge you with robbery under the Hobbs Act, and you're looking at maximum 20 years in prison," she continued. "But we're going to prosecute you for that."

"But we're going to do everything within our legal authority to protect our law enforcement officers and all the people in California right now."

"Let's ask again, what is the threshold for invoking the insurrection?" the reporter pressed. "Are you seeing examples in other cities where the president might have to consider that?"

"Right now, in California, what we're doing is working by bringing in the National Guard," Bondi answered, "by bringing in the Marines right now to back them up to protect our federal buildings, to protect the highways, to protect the citizens. So right now in California, we're at a good point."

"We're not scared to go further. We're not frightened to do something else if we need to," she added.

"Like what's the threshold?" the reporter asked again.

"Well, right now we're right now we're hoping it's going to get under control," Bondi said. "We hope the curfew will work, and we're going to continue to do everything we can to keep California safe if the government of California is not going to help them. "

Watch the video below from C-SPAN or click here.