Mayor Karen Bass on Sunday criticized President Donald Trump over his decision to deploy the National Guard in Los Angeles. The mayor also warned protesters that vandalism and violence "will not be tolerated."
Addressing the media at City Hall, Bass said the federal administration should let local officials take charge, and recall the National Guard troops. She accused Trump of creating an unsafe environment for immigrants during his first term, which has carried onto this second term. Bass also noted the detainees had not been allowed any form of communication.
Citing ongoing recovery from the wildfires, she said the troops and the chaos with it were the "last thing the city needs." Bass addressed the protesters saying, "I call on all Angelenos to continue expressing your right, your anger, your outrage, but do it peacefully."
Mayor Karen Bass criticized President Donald Trump over his decision to deploy the National Guard in Los Angeles. The mayor also warned protesters that vandalism and violence "will not be tolerated."
"No matter where you were born, the First Amendment Right gives you the ability to protest peacefully, not create chaos or vandalize property, and that will not be tolerated," she said.
Bass said she spoke to high-level officials in the Trump administration, including border czar Tom Homan before the Guard deployment, and "expressed to them that things were not out of control in the city of Los Angeles. Paramount has some issues, but I doubt very seriously that there's a need for the National Guard there either."
Bass said she told Homan, "If you want there to be chaos, then have troops on the ground when there is absolutely no need for that to happen."
Earlier in the day, Bass issued the following official statement:
"This morning, President Trump deployed the National Guard into Los Angeles. Deploying federalized troops on the heels of these raids is a chaotic escalation. The fear people are feeling in our city right now is very real -- it's felt in our communities and within our families and it puts our neighborhoods at risk. This is the last thing that our city needs, and I urge protestors to remain peaceful.
"I've been in touch this morning with immigrant rights leaders as well as local law enforcement officials. Los Angeles will always stand with everyone who calls our city home."
City News Service contributed to this report.