Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass confronted federal immigration officers Monday during an operation in the city, accusing them of staging a “political stunt” and calling their actions “outrageous” and “un-American.”
Agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) were reportedly conducting an operation at MacArthur Park when Bass arrived at the scene, interrupting the agents and demanding they leave.
“They need to leave and they need to leave right now!” Bass was heard yelling, according to the New York Post. She later told reporters, “What I saw in the park today looked like a city under siege,” adding, “It’s outrageous and un-American to have armed vehicles in our American parks.”
The mayor briefly spoke with CBP Assistant Chief Patrol Agent David Kim, who offered to connect her to “the head of customs.” Bass later posted a video of the operation on X, writing, “The SECOND I heard about this, I went to the park to speak to the person in charge to tell them it needed to end NOW. Absolutely outrageous.”
Despite Bass’ rhetoric, Border Patrol El Centro Sector Chief Gregory Bovino told FOX Los Angeles that the operation would continue as planned
“The federal government is not leaving LA. … The federal government does not work for Karen Bass. We’re going to be here until that mission is accomplished,” he said.
“Better get used to us now because this is going to be normal very soon,” Bovino added.
It remains unclear whether any arrests were made. Reports suggest that activists were seen in the park warning people about the presence of immigration agents beforehand.
