Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is under fire from conservative officials and commentators after denouncing federal immigration enforcement operations carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in her city.
In a statement issued Friday morning, Mayor Bass condemned the raids, which reportedly occurred at multiple locations throughout Los Angeles, including businesses in the fashion district and two Home Depot stores. She described the ICE actions as disruptive and harmful to community safety.
“As Mayor of a proud city of immigrants, who contribute to our city in so many ways, I am deeply angered by what has taken place,” Bass said. “These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city.”
The statement, which quickly gained more than two million views on X (formerly Twitter), sparked intense criticism from prominent conservatives and Trump administration officials.
Stephen Miller, White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, pushed back, writing on X:
“You have no say in this at all. Federal law is supreme and federal law will be enforced.”
Others echoed that sentiment, including Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who wrote, “It’s amazing the number of elected officials who don’t grasp the basics of federalism, or federal sovereignty over immigration issues.”
Several critics also accused Bass of neglecting other city responsibilities. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) and others referenced her handling of the devastating wildfires earlier this year that killed 30 people and displaced thousands.
ICE confirmed multiple arrests during the enforcement operation. Immigration advocacy groups, including the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), stated that at least 45 individuals were taken into custody at seven locations across the city.
Videos posted online showed ICE agents escorting detainees through store parking lots, while protesters clashed with federal agents near detention sites. As tensions escalated Friday evening, LAPD deployed officers in riot gear to maintain order amid growing crowds of demonstrators.
Mayor Bass’s response to the protests drew further criticism from conservatives, who accused her of inciting unrest.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Police Department distanced itself from the federal operation. In a statement, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell clarified that the department was not involved in the raids or in immigration enforcement.
“I’m aware that these actions cause anxiety for many Angelenos, so I want to make it clear: the LAPD is not involved in civil immigration enforcement,” McDonnell said. “We will not assist or participate in any sort of mass deportations.”
That stance drew additional backlash. Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin posted photos showing graffiti with anti-ICE messages and criticized the LAPD for not intervening during what she described as an escalating situation at a federal facility.
“Assaulting ICE officers, slashing tires, defacing buildings. 800 protesters have surrounded and breached the first layer of a federal law enforcement building in LA. LAPD has not responded,” she wrote. “This violence against ICE must stop.”
With input from Fox News.
