Bass Accuses Raman of Flip-Flopping on Police Chief Removal Timeline

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass accused her challenger, City Councilmember Nithya Raman, of changing her position on when to remove LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell. The exchange occurred during an interview with Eyewitness News political reporter Josh Haskell as the mayoral campaign enters its final days.

Bass stated that Raman has altered her proposed timeline multiple times. Initially, Raman said she would begin the removal process on her first day in office. She later indicated a target of 2030, before suggesting the date might be even later. Bass criticized Raman for not identifying a specific replacement candidate when asked who her ideal successor would be.

The candidates also clashed over the LAPD budget. Raman has argued that the department's large budget contributes to city problems, including liability payouts. Bass rejected this view, stating it is not truthful. She noted that any measure she proposed required a vote by the City Council. Bass added that Raman has consistently voted against police raises and increased hiring.

Bass addressed Raman's claim that the LAPD worked with and protected Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Bass said that claim is not true. She agreed, however, that the department's actions during recent protests warrant examination. She said, "I think that that needs to be examined."

Bass acknowledged mistakes during her first term, specifically regarding the homelessness crisis and the Palisades. She said she focused initially on getting people off the streets but could have paid more attention to transforming the system earlier. "I was hoping it could be reformed. Now, I believe we need to have an entirely new system," Bass said.

When asked what she would have done differently regarding the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, Bass said she would have pushed for an independent system under city control. She explained that many beds funded by the city are occupied by people outside Los Angeles because the county controls the authority. She said taxpayers are often unaware of this arrangement.

Bass described the future of Los Angeles as potentially incredible due to the upcoming Olympics, declining crime rates, and new housing units. She said these outcomes depend on voters choosing to stay the course with a second term for her.

Asked if she was concerned about losing an election she has never previously lost, Bass said she was worried. "I don't know a candidate, and I'm certainly one of them, that is not concerned about whether or not they will win an election," she said. "What about my last one? I was certainly worried."