Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is facing criticism after a series of public statements in which she condemned federal immigration enforcement actions taking place in her city.
Bass made the remarks on July 13 and during an interview aired Sunday on CBS’s Face the Nation, where she took aim at the use of federal agents and the presence of the National Guard in Los Angeles.
On July 13, Bass claimed that the federal government was attempting to override state and local authority, stating, “The federal government is attempting to seize power and authority from state and local governments. This is un-American. And we will not stand for it.”
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Bass also suggested that the federal government was using Los Angeles as part of an “experiment,” although she did not provide specific details to support that allegation.
Everyone should be concerned.
The federal government is attempting to seize power and authority from state and local governments. This is un-American. And we will not stand for it.
Thank you @AprilDRyan for having me on. pic.twitter.com/tanFL8vQP5
— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) July 14, 2025
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Following those comments, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) responded by asserting that the agency has the authority to enforce federal immigration law, regardless of the objections raised by local officials.
FALSE, Mayor Bass — The federal government is not attempting to “seize authority” because the federal government was GIVEN authority to enforce immigration law by CONGRESS generations ago.
Our jurisdiction already extends into every city, town and territory of the United… https://t.co/Y091W5GhBb
— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) July 17, 2025
During her Face the Nation interview, host Margaret Brennan questioned Bass about her opposition to ICE agents wearing masks.
Brennan noted that agents often face threats and asked whether their safety and anonymity should be taken into account.
Bass responded, “Well – well, first of all, let me just tell you that the masked men are not from Los Angeles. And so, how their families could be retaliated against? And then what is that to say to local law enforcement, the Los Angeles Police Department, none of whom are ever masked, who always identify themselves, and even hand someone a business card. So, that makes absolutely no sense at all. And I don’t know, but I have a hard time believing that the woman selling pineapples on the corner will going to attack an ICE agent.”
Bass did not explain how she knew the agents were not local or how their locations would eliminate the risk of retaliation.
In recent years, ICE agents have faced disruptions during operations, and protests by activist groups have at times resulted in confrontations and threats.
The mayor also criticized the federal use of the National Guard in immigration enforcement, saying, “We did not ask for them. This is the federal seizure of power from a governor deploying the National Guard when the National Guard were not even needed.”
Bass shared a clip from her interview on social media, adding in her post, “They’re going after people selling fruit and working at car washes. It’s unconstitutional and it must end.”
Brennan followed up by referencing comments made by Border Czar Tom Homan, who had stated that reasonable suspicion cannot be based solely on physical description, but that multiple factors such as location, occupation, appearance, or behavior may contribute to enforcement decisions.
Brennan asked Bass if she disagreed with that assessment.
Bass replied, “Location, sitting at a – well, location, sitting at a bus stop, walking down the street, selling fruit, no, I do dispute that, absolutely.”
Are you that dumb? Do you really think it’s unconstitutional for immigration and customs enforcement to…ya know… Enforce immigration law?
— Tomi Lahren (@TomiLahren) July 20, 2025
She continued by claiming that enforcement actions have created fear among workers.
“It’s difficult to get your car washed in Los Angeles now because most of the car washes, the employees won’t come to work out of fear that a raid will take place.”
Bass’s remarks drew attention on social media platform X, where users questioned the logic of her statements and accused her of portraying immigration enforcement as a threat to everyday street vendors and laborers, many of whom may be in the country illegally.
I don’t think she understands what “unconstitutional” means… https://t.co/2d5FeK0cMj
— Dean Cain (@RealDeanCain) July 20, 2025
ICE has maintained that its operations follow federal law and include consideration of multiple factors, not solely location or appearance.
Federal immigration enforcement authorities continue to assert jurisdiction regardless of the level of cooperation from state or local officials.
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