Karen Bass has criticized Nithya Raman for her inconsistent stance on whether she intends to retain LAPD chief Jim McDonnell after two interviews over the weekend. In one interview on Saturday, Raman was directly asked if she would let McDonnell go, while another interview on NBC the following day touched on rumors suggesting she might want to replace former District Attorney George Gascón with him.
In response, Raman gave a rather convoluted denial regarding the idea of bringing Gascón into a leadership position at the LAPD. “Replacing the chief of police is not on my 100-day agenda. Restoring trust with our law enforcement and the public is,” she said.
Despite her claims, Raman faced backlash last week when a video featuring McDonnell’s image marked with a red X surfaced, labeled “fascist liars.” During her NBC interview, she was pressed about rumors linking her to a desire to reinstate Gascón, who was ousted as LA County DA in 2024.
While speaking to ABC7, Raman reassured viewers that replacing McDonnell was not an immediate focus for her. However, when questioned about the timing of such a decision, especially considering Bass’ warning regarding potential repercussions for law enforcement ahead of the LA 2028 Olympics, Raman suggested it might be better to wait until 2030 to make any changes.
This ongoing turmoil is just another hurdle for Raman, who has been busy trying to explain the recent social media video controversy. Her campaign insists that the controversial message was aimed at the Trump administration and ICE rather than McDonnell specifically, attributing the editing to a left-wing influencer.
Critics have highlighted inconsistencies in Raman’s statements about when she would be willing to make leadership changes if she won the upcoming election against Mayor Karen Bass. The Bass campaign’s spokesperson claimed that Raman appears to lack firm convictions and is merely saying what people want to hear for political gain. They emphasized that public safety must not become a political issue, arguing that hiring more officers is essential.
When asked for clarity, Raman indicated a different timeline, saying she expected to replace McDonnell before the end of his term in 2030. However, speculation persists regarding Gascón’s name circulating among various law enforcement and political circles as a potential replacement, which has caused alarm amongst officials worried about a possible mass departure from the already understaffed LAPD.
Former LA City Councilman Dennis Zine warned that Gascón’s possible return could push many officers to leave, especially as the city gears up for the Olympics. Zine also noted that the staffing crisis would worsen if the leadership changes, echoing concerns from other officials regarding the implications of such a decision.
The Los Angeles Police Protective League did not hold back its criticism, suggesting that Raman’s public safety strategy involves appointing Gascón, who has a controversial past with law enforcement. The union’s board expressed that it would be disheartening if she attempted to reappoint him after his previous election loss.
Gascón’s connections to LA’s democratic socialist movement have raised further concerns, with many in law enforcement believing he would destabilize the department if reinstated. Following a series of criticisms from political strategists and current law enforcement officials about his prior tenure as DA, questions remain about whether voters would allow Raman to bring Gascón back into a position of power.
Ultimately, as the city faces upcoming challenges, especially with the Olympics on the horizon, the decision regarding police leadership appears to hang uncomfortably in the balance.
