LA Mayor Bass Condemns National Guard Deployment Amidst Chaos and Fear

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass voiced serious concerns about the deployment of the National Guard in the city, describing the situation as "chaos" and expressing worries about the impact on civilians and law enforcement. The deployment, she stated, has led to fear and panic amongst residents. "When you raid Home Depot and workplaces, when you tear parents and children apart, and when you run armored caravans through our streets, you cause fear and you cause panic," Bass said during a press conference. She asserted that the deployment is "a dangerous escalation" and is not about public safety, stating, "There's clearly no plan, and there's clearly no policy." Bass emphasized that while the First Amendment protects the right to peaceful protest, violence and vandalism will not be tolerated. The situation underscores the complex challenges facing Los Angeles and highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the use of the National Guard in civilian contexts.