Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass accuses President Trump of illegal actions and economic sabotage amid unprecedented military deployment and immigration raids, sparking protests and widespread arrests.

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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass publicly accused President Donald Trump of using the city as a “guinea pig” to test the limits of his disregard for the law, warning that if this strategy succeeds, it could be replicated across the United States.

Speaking at a press conference, Bass firmly rejected Trump’s characterization of Los Angeles as “overrun by illegal immigrants” requiring military intervention to “clear the streets,” emphasizing that protests around City Hall have been largely peaceful.

Unprecedented Military Buildup and Federal Overreach

The mayor’s statement comes amid an extraordinary military buildup in Los Angeles, which now hosts nearly 4,800 U.S. troops, including 2,000 National Guard members deployed in staggered phases, an additional 2,000 troops added recently, and approximately 700 Marines.

This deployment follows a presidential memorandum signed last Saturday, despite the fact that local officials in Los Angeles County explicitly rejected the request for military assistance.

California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the federal action as a “provocation” and announced plans for legal challenges, denouncing the deployment as “reckless, useless and disrespectful to our troops.” Newsom argued that the move serves not public safety but “feeding the ego of a dangerous president.”

To the immigrant community in Los Angeles:

You belong here.
You are not alone.

Los Angeles is your home — and we are fighting for you. pic.twitter.com/rXWKbsDTAl

— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) June 7, 2025

Impact on Los Angeles Economy and Immigrant Communities

Mayor Bass highlighted the devastating economic consequences of Trump’s immigration raids and militarization, noting that many vital sectors of Los Angeles depend heavily on immigrant labor. She warned that the administration’s policies threaten not only individual workers and families but also the city’s broader economic stability.

The raids, conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in downtown Los Angeles on June 7, triggered mass protests and civil unrest. Since then, at least 378 people have been arrested, according to Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell, reflecting escalating tensions between federal authorities and local communities.

We are a city of immigrants — and as Mayor, it is my job to protect all Angelenos. pic.twitter.com/2N8jqbwh1N

— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) June 11, 2025

The demonstrations in Los Angeles are part of a broader wave of resistance against the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement and militarization tactics. Community organizations, labor unions, and immigrant rights groups have mobilized to defend civil liberties and demand an end to arbitrary arrests and the destruction of immigrant livelihoods.

Mayor Bass’s strong condemnation and the legal pushback from state officials underscore a growing coalition committed to protecting the rights and dignity of immigrant communities and preserving the social fabric of Los Angeles.

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