Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass on Sunday criticized President Donald Trump for deploying the National Guard to Los Angeles and warned protesters that violence won’t be tolerated.
Speaking at City Hall, mayor Bass urged the federal government to recall the National Guard and let local authorities lead. She blamed Trump for endangering immigrant communities during his first term, a trend she says continues today. Mayor Bass also highlighted that detainees have been denied all forms of communication.
Citing the city’s ongoing wildfire recovery, she said the deployment of troops and added turmoil were the “last thing the city needs.” Bass urged protesters, saying, “I call on all Angelenos to keep expressing your anger and outrage — but do it peacefully.”
“No matter where you were born, the First Amendment Right gives you the ability to protest peacefully, not create chaos or vandalize property, and that will not be tolerated,” she said.
Bass said she had spoken with senior Trump administration officials, including border czar Tom Homan, before the National Guard was deployed. she told them the situation in Los Angeles was not out of control. “Paramount has some issues,” she added, “but I seriously doubt the National Guard is needed there either.”
Earlier in the day, Bass issued the following official statement:
“This morning, President Trump deployed the National Guard into Los Angeles. Deploying federalized troops on the heels of these raids is a chaotic escalation. The fear people are feeling in our city right now is very real — it’s felt in our communities and within our families and it puts our neighborhoods at risk. This is the last thing that our city needs, and I urge protestors to remain peaceful.
“I’ve been in touch this morning with immigrant rights leaders as well as local law enforcement officials. Los Angeles will always stand with everyone who calls our city home.”
