Staff Reports
Los Angeles is watching a nasty little dust-up that tells you everything you need to know about the city’s political mood. LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell publicly scolded Councilmember and mayoral hopeful Nithya Raman over a since‑deleted social media clip in which she repeated the line “Only you can stop fascist liars.” The clip, produced by an influencer, showed images of Mayor Karen Bass and Chief McDonnell with a red X over the chief’s face. McDonnell called the footage “disappointing,” and the fallout has been fast and loud.
What happened and who said what
The short clip was posted, then removed, after it drew sharp criticism. Raman’s campaign says the phrase was meant to target federal immigration agents and past federal actions, not Mayor Bass or the LAPD, and that they asked the creator to take it down. Mayor Bass’ campaign called the rhetoric “dangerous and extreme.” The rank‑and‑file police union also warned the imagery—especially the red X over a sitting police chief—was reckless and could inflame threats against public officials and officers. Chief McDonnell pointed out context that matters: anti‑ICE protests earlier involved violent confrontations and injuries to officers, which is why his rebuke landed the way it did.
Why this matters in the Los Angeles mayoral race
This isn’t just another social‑media flare-up. A sitting police chief publicly rebuking a mayoral candidate is rare and makes clear what’s at stake: public safety. The “fascist liars” line hands Mayor Bass an easy weapon to paint Raman as extreme on law and order. It also risks alienating moderate voters who want a safe city, and it could spur union spending or hardline ad campaigns. For voters worried about crime, homelessness, and border fallout, this episode crystallizes doubts about Raman’s judgment and priorities.
Raman’s responsibility and the politics of accountability
Campaigns are noisy, but elected officials and serious candidates can’t shrug off dangerous rhetoric and expect no consequences. If you claim you want to run a big city, you don’t toss incendiary phrases around that make officers and residents feel less safe. Raman has criticized the LAPD’s handling of immigration‑related events and said she would replace the chief; that’s a legitimate policy stance. But repeating a chant that equates officers or leaders with “fascists” is reckless politics, not reform. If she wants to win over undecided voters, the smart play is a clear, calm re‑entry: explain what you meant, own any editing mistakes, and move on to real solutions for crime and homelessness.
Bottom line
This kerfuffle is a warning shot for the Los Angeles mayoral race. Chief McDonnell’s rebuke could shift late deciding voters and give Mayor Bass fresh ammo. For Raman, this is a moment to show leadership and restraint—two qualities a city in trouble could use. If she doubles down on hot rhetoric, the law‑and‑order voters in Los Angeles will likely vote for stability over slogans. That might sound plain, but sometimes plain is exactly what a big city needs.
