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EXCLUSIVE: I Spoke With Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass About the Protests and ICE Raids in Los Angeles

Aaron Parnas Jun 9

Los Angeles is at the center of a rapidly intensifying national crisis. Over the last 48 hours, the city has become a flashpoint for mass protests, historic demonstrations, and a looming showdown between local officials and the federal government.

Tonight, I sat down for an exclusive Substack interview with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass to get clarity on what’s happening right now — and what could happen next.

I am making sure that you have wall to wall coverage about the events in Los Angeles right now. I won’t rest until the story ends because it’s too important. Please subscribe today to support my work:

Here’s what you need to know.

1. We talked about the current state of the protests, the atmosphere across the city, and how local officials are responding. The past 48 hours have produced historic scenes, and the situation remains fluid.

2. About an hour before our conversation, U.S. Northern Command announced that 500 active-duty Marines are prepared to deploy if necessary. We discussed how city officials are preparing for that possibility — and what it would mean for Los Angeles.

3. I asked Mayor Bass directly: If federal troops do enter the city, how will local authorities respond?

4. The Mayor has repeatedly stated that the protests remain largely peaceful — I asked whether that is still the case as of tonight, and whether anything has changed on the ground that might affect that assessment.

5. Governor Gavin Newsom has formally requested that President Biden rescind the memorandum federalizing the California National Guard. I asked Mayor Bass whether she’s spoken with the Governor about this — and whether there are any updates on that effort.

6. Donald Trump issued a statement tonight calling on federal agencies to “liberate Los Angeles from a Migrant Invasion.” I asked the Mayor for her direct response to that statement — and what she would say to residents who are growing increasingly anxious.

Let me know what you think.