LA Mayor Accuses Trump of Intentional Chaos

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass sharply criticized former President Donald Trump Monday, attributing recent unrest in her city directly to actions taken by his administration. In a CNN interview, Bass asserted that immigration enforcement operations instigated the disorder, stating that had the raids not occurred, the subsequent protests – and resulting disruption – would likely not have transpired. She acknowledged the situation is currently calm, but expressed ongoing concern about potential future federal interventions and the likelihood of renewed demonstrations given the city’s established rapid response network to ICE activity.

Bass further accused Trump of overstepping constitutional boundaries by deploying the National Guard to California without the consent of Governor Gavin Newsom, characterizing it as a violation of “state power and state sovereignty.” Newsom echoed these concerns in a social media post, claiming Trump intentionally escalated tensions and illegally federalized the National Guard, establishing a precedent that could allow similar actions in any state – a move the governor’s office intends to challenge legally.

The mayor emphasized the disproportionate response to what she described as a relatively minor incident – a protest involving approximately 100 people – and questioned the rationale behind the ICE raids, noting they targeted day laborers working at locations like a Home Depot, rather than focusing on genuine criminal activity. Bass stated no request for National Guard assistance was made by the city of Los Angeles, highlighting a departure from established protocols where such requests originate at the local or gubernatorial level.

“There wasn’t a reason for this – that is the concern,” Bass reiterated. “And if there was, the way it happens traditionally is, is that requests are made on the local level of the governor to send National Guard troops.”

The situation underscores a growing tension between federal immigration enforcement and local governance, particularly in states with policies differing from the national administration. While federal authorities have a right to enforce immigration laws, the manner in which they do so – and the lack of coordination with local officials – appears to have, in this instance, inflamed an already sensitive situation. The mayor’s strong condemnation suggests a deepening rift and a likely continuation of legal and political battles over immigration policy and states’ rights.