Trump administration officials are criticizing Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass following her opposition to recent federal immigration enforcement actions that resulted in dozens of arrests across the city.
The backlash comes as violent protests erupted near arrest sites, prompting federal officials to respond with crowd control tactics, including flash bangs.
On Friday, federal immigration authorities carried out enforcement operations in Los Angeles, arresting 44 individuals.
Trump’s Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?
In response, Mayor Bass issued a statement pledging to resist the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), stating, “We will not stand for this.”
She added that her office “is in close coordination with immigrant rights community organizations” and expressed anger over the federal arrests.
We will not stand for this. pic.twitter.com/Ug1CN4JKOz
— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) June 6, 2025
How about you control the criminals in your city instead of defending them?pic.twitter.com/ZaOiGilNUE
— ALX (@alx) June 8, 2025
This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year
Stephen Miller, White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, responded to Bass’s remarks on X, stating, “You have no say in this at all.”
Miller emphasized, “Federal law is supreme and federal law will be enforced.”
You have no say in this at all. Federal law is supreme and federal law will be enforced. https://t.co/N53UBl3UM4
— Stephen Miller (@StephenM) June 6, 2025
Several other Trump officials joined Miller in condemning Bass’s comments.
Sebastian Gorka, an adviser to President Trump, referenced recent national security concerns involving a suspect in Colorado.
“They’re Illegals. Not ‘immigrants.’ One just tried to burn Americans alive in Boulder,” Gorka wrote on X.
He referred to Mohamed Soliman, an Egyptian national who allegedly firebombed a march in support of Israeli hostages in Boulder, Colorado. Authorities say Soliman had overstayed his tourist visa before the attack.
“If you’re aiding and abetting them you’re a criminal too,” Gorka added in a separate post.
“Are you ready to be treated as a criminal? Because we are ready to treat you as one if you commit a crime.”
They’re Illegals.
Not “immigrants.”
One just tried to burn Americans alive in Boulder.
If you’re aiding and abetting them you’re a criminal too.
Are you ready to be treated as a criminal?
Because we are ready to treat you as one if you commit a crime. https://t.co/xUCcFELFt8
— Sebastian Gorka DrG (@SebGorka) June 7, 2025
Harmeet Dhillon, a Justice Department official, also weighed in, criticizing Mayor Bass for failing to understand federal jurisdiction.
“It’s amazing the number of elected officials who don’t grasp the basics of federalism, or federal sovereignty over immigration issues, or the First Amendment,” Dhillon said on X.
It’s amazing the number of elected officials who don’t grasp the basics of federalism, or federal sovereignty over immigration issues, or the First Amendment. https://t.co/bvrqiDjEcy
— Harmeet K. Dhillon (@HarmeetKDhillon) June 7, 2025
Protests quickly followed the raids, leading to at least one arrest.
According to U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, a man identified as David Huerta was taken into custody after allegedly blocking access to a federal vehicle.
“Federal agents were executing a lawful judicial warrant at a LA worksite this morning when David Huerta deliberately obstructed their access by blocking their vehicle,” Essayli stated.
“He was arrested for interfering with federal officers and will face arraignment in federal court on Monday.”
Federal agents were executing a lawful judicial warrant at a LA worksite this morning when David Huerta deliberately obstructed their access by blocking their vehicle. He was arrested for interfering with federal officers and will face arraignment in federal court on Monday. Let… pic.twitter.com/GIFD34LIcF
— U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) June 7, 2025
Huerta serves as the president of the California branch of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
Tricia McLaughlin, spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, also criticized the city’s response to escalating tensions.
“Assaulting ICE enforcement officers, slashing tires, defacing buildings. 800 protestors have surrounded and breached the first layer of a federal law enforcement building in LA,” she posted on X.
“@LAPD has not responded. This violence against @ICEgov must stop.”
Assaulting ICE enforcement officers, slashing tires, defacing buildings.
800 protestors have surrounded and breached the first layer of a federal law enforcement building in LA.@LAPD has not responded.
This violence against @ICEgov must stop. https://t.co/ycmQ3kO08W pic.twitter.com/BUaDrOcWch
— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) June 7, 2025
Richard Grenell, who serves as President Trump’s envoy for special diplomatic missions, directly blamed Mayor Bass for contributing to the unrest.
“Karen Bass whipped all of this up. She attacked the rule of law. She undermined democracy,” Grenell posted, alongside photos of demonstrators attempting to block ICE vehicles.
“The @MayorOfLA is creating chaos in LA,” he added.
Karen Bass whipped all of this up.
She attacked the rule of law.
She undermined democracy.
The @MayorOfLA is creating chaos in LA. https://t.co/sR4E5UNHRS
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) June 7, 2025
And then there’s Tom Homan…
Connect with Vetted Off-Duty Cops to Instantly Fulfill Your Security Needs
The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.
Read the full article here