Griffin Challenges Mayor Bass Over Police Department Claims
On Monday, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass chose not to respond after comedian Kathy Griffin accused the Los Angeles Police Department of having ties to “white nationalism.” During an Instagram Live event, Griffin discussed what she viewed as an unjust attack on Bass.
“I truly believe that being a Black woman, you face lots of adversity,” Griffin stated, observing that the city council and police department could be unfriendly towards her.
Bass responded with laughter to the remark, as Griffin went on to express her concerns about law enforcement, suggesting there might be some elements of white nationalism within it. She seemed to indicate that while the department may appear diverse, there’s a lingering issue that needs to be addressed. “How do you navigate those elements?” she asked.
Interestingly, Bass did not engage with the claims about white nationalism in the police force. Instead, she clarified that the LAPD doesn’t have the power to influence federal agents during immigration investigations.
Spencer Pratt, a rival candidate for mayor, reacted to the exchange, suggesting Bass seemed “scared and desperate.”
Throughout the conversation, Bass stressed that her authority is somewhat limited. “I’m not in charge of schools or healthcare,” she mentioned. Griffin pushed further, asking about public consequences, like school lunch removals, which affected communities due to federal decisions. “Do they hold you responsible?” she probed. “Yes, that’s right,” Bass acknowledged.
A request for comments from both the LAPD and Bass’s office went unanswered.
While Bass has advocated for police reform in the past, most notably in 2020, her general support has leaned towards the LAPD, including efforts for increasing officer hiring. Some of her previous objectives concerning race and politics within the department have sparked debate.
Looking ahead in 2023, her public safety and police reform goals proposed tackling issues like identifying and disciplining officers linked to right-wing extremist groups and improving access for underrepresented communities in police training programs.
