Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faced criticism after stating that the media had blown incidents of vandalism during anti-ICE protests out of proportion, describing them as a full-blown riot.
During a press briefing on Thursday, a reporter pressed her regarding reports of anti-ICE violence, including attacks on ICE facilities in Texas.
“The portrayal seemed to suggest chaos across the city, which isn’t accurate,” Bass stated.
“Let’s clarify: the so-called ‘riots’ didn’t happen,” she continued. “There were isolated incidents of destruction and looting, but comparing this to the events of 1992 is, you know, inappropriate.”
She also dismissed reports of attacks on Texas ICE facilities, admitting she didn’t have knowledge of them.
“I’m, uh, not familiar with that situation. It’s in another state,” she remarked.
“Oh, it’s Texas,” the reporter responded.
“I can only talk about what occurred in Los Angeles,” she added.
During the briefing, one of her aides interrupted to clarify points.
The Republican National Committee posted a clipped version of her comments, which included her claims about the exaggeration of the riots.
Related: A Border Patrol Chief shared a pointed message to Mayor Bass following her remarks about an ICE attack in LA.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm7chtty9la
Online observers have criticized the mayor for seemingly downplaying the violence during the protests.
“This is inaccurate. Riots erupted overnight, leading to significant property damage and assaults on police,” one comment read.
“It’s concerning that leadership like this ignores such violence. LA isn’t exempt from these problems,” another response noted.
“So, it wasn’t just small fragments thrown, then?” asked yet another critic.
