Who’s In Charge of Los Angeles?

July 15, 2025

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for federalizing the National Guard in Los Angeles, effectively removing control from California Governor Gavin Newsom. Bass claims this federal action represents an overreach of power, with ICE, National Guard, Border Patrol, and Marines now collectively targeting immigrants of various nationalities in the city. The mayor describes Los Angeles as a "Petri dish" for Trump's immigration policies, highlighting that the city's large immigrant population is being significantly impacted, with entire immigrant-dependent industries suffering and some areas becoming "ghost towns.

Who is affected

Los Angeles residents, particularly immigrants from Mexico, Central America, and communities of Koreans, Iranians, and Haitians
Business owners and workers in immigrant-dependent industries like the garment district and ethnic restaurants
The 3.8 million people of Los Angeles, which is "overwhelmingly a city of color" (almost half Latino, 25% Asian, 9% African American)
California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has lost authority over the National Guard
Local law enforcement, specifically the LAPD, which is "definitely not in charge"

What action is being taken

Mayor Karen Bass is filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration regarding immigration measures in Los Angeles
Federal authorities (ICE, National Guard, Border Patrol, and Marines) are "blending together" to police and arrest immigrants in Los Angeles
Confrontations are occurring between ICE, LAPD, and the public during immigration enforcement actions
The Trump administration has federalized the National Guard, taking control from state authorities

Why it matters

This represents what Bass calls a "federal seizure of power" and an overreach of presidential authority
The enforcement actions are disrupting Los Angeles economically, with parts of the city described as "empty" and the garment district becoming a "ghost town"
Some residents perceive the immigrant arrests as "kidnappings," creating tension and confrontations
Ethnic businesses report conditions "worse than Covid" as customers avoid even delivery services
The situation affects a majority-minority city where immigrant labor supports entire industries

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint