Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in Los Angeles were \u201cpolitical retribution\u201d against residents of the predominantly Democratic city.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngelenos are trying to live their lives\u2014going to work, caring for their families\u2014while facing the constant threat of sudden immigration crackdowns,\u201d Bass said in a post<\/a> on the social platform X.<\/p>\n \u201cThis fear paralyzes communities. We saw it before: kids too scared to go to school, families torn apart without warning. Let\u2019s not pretend this is about public safety. It\u2019s political retribution\u2014plain and simple,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n President Trump\u2019s border czar Tom Homan said Los Angeles protests were making ICE raids more \u201cdifficult\u201d and \u201cdangerous\u201d on Tuesday.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s like we\u2019re a third world nation where people think it\u2019s okay to threaten the life and safety of federal law enforcement officers and their families,\u201d Homan said during an appearance on NBC Nightly News.<\/a><\/p>\n Some protesters have lit cars on fire, thrown rocks and other objects at police, and defaced federal buildings with graffiti during five days of demonstrations. Democrats say these isolated acts of violence do not justify Trump’s heavy-handed federal response. <\/p>\n Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have mobilized thousands of National Guard troops and hundreds of Marines, which they say is necessary to protect federal immigration officials carrying out their duties in the city. <\/p>\n California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has traded public criticism with Trump and Hegseth. The governor, who is seen as a likely 2028 presidential contender, delivered a televised address Tuesday night warning Trump’s over-reach would extend beyond California. <\/p>\n \u201cThis is about all of us. This is about you. California may be first, but it clearly will not end here. Other states are next. Democracy is next. Democracy is under assault before our eyes. This moment we have feared has arrived,” Newsom said.<\/p>\n Protests against the Trump administration\u2019s immigration crackdown have spread to other major cities<\/a> this week. <\/p>\n