Democrat L.A. Mayor May Face Arrest for Obstructing ICE Operations, DHS Confirms
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed this week that Democratic Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass may face legal consequences—including arrest—after she allegedly attempted to interfere with federal immigration agents during lawful enforcement actions in the city.
Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at DHS, appeared Monday night on Fox News’ “Hannity” with guest host Charlie Hurt to address the matter. Hurt pressed her on whether Mayor Bass’s actions had crossed the line.
“When you have scenes like you did out in L.A. today where you have the mayor, Karen Bass, interfering with official federal officer proceedings... are you all hesitant to go out and arrest her, or has all of this behavior not reached that threshold yet?” Hurt asked.
McLaughlin didn’t mince words: “We are keeping everything on the table, but I want to ask Karen Bass, who is she protecting? Is it the gang members we are going after, or the child, or the drug traffickers? Which of the violent criminals who are terrorizing Los Angeles streets is she trying to protect, because it is not American citizens or her own constituents.”
McLaughlin went on to detail the success of President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement policies since returning to office, citing nearly 600 arrests of known or suspected terrorists and 2,700 members of the violent Tren de Aragua gang, a brutal South American criminal network.
“For viewers who are not familiar,” she explained, “they are a vicious, highly sophisticated gang who kills, rapes, and maims Americans for sport. They enrich themselves by sex trafficking young women. They have walked with impunity on America’s streets for four years, and under President Trump, no more.”
The incident involving Mayor Bass comes amid escalating violence toward immigration officers and federal agents—violence that Republican leaders say has been emboldened by reckless rhetoric from the Left.
The Trump administration, now under the firm leadership of President Trump and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, is taking a hardline approach. After a shooting incident at an ICE facility in Texas on Friday, federal officials pledged a “zero tolerance” policy toward any attacks on law enforcement.
“We are closely monitoring the attacks on DHS detention facilities in Prairieland, TX, and Portland, OR, and are coordinating with the USAOs and our law enforcement partners,” Deputy Attorney General Todd Blance wrote on X. “The Department has zero tolerance for assaults on federal officers or property and will bring the full weight of the law against those responsible.”
The warning followed back-to-back incidents, including a coordinated ambush attempt on a Border Patrol facility in Texas on Monday. During that event, a police officer in Alvarado, Texas, was shot in the neck while responding to a suspicious individual near the Prairieland Detention Facility. The officer was later treated and released, and multiple armed suspects were captured with the help of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office.
President Trump took to Truth Social on Saturday to commend ICE officers for their bravery and commitment during these turbulent times.
“This July 4th weekend I want to give a big ‘THANK YOU!’ to the Heroic ICE Officers fighting every day to reclaim our Sovereignty and Freedom,” he wrote.
He also reaffirmed his administration’s push for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a signature immigration proposal that would provide billions in new funding to expand ICE operations and initiate the largest mass deportation effort in American history.