Mitigating Extreme Lawlessness and Threats Act

The Mitigating Extreme Lawlessness and Threats Act (S. 2000) would change how rioting is defined and punished under federal law (18 U.S.C. 2101). The bill reorganizes the statute so that all riot-related conduct described in the statute’s paragraphs would be punished under a new, centralized penalty provision. It establishes three tiers of punishment, with harsher penalties if violence is involved or if a federal officer or uniformed service member is assaulted. In short, the bill tightens penalties for rioting and adds explicit minimums for violent acts during a riot and for assaults on federal personnel. Sponsored by Senator Cotton, the bill appears to be a broad effort to deter rioting by increasing consequences and clarifying the statutory structure governing riot offenses.