Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has just had a rather significant policy shift that is likely to go unnoticed in the mainstream media.
If you recall, several months ago, ICE agents ran a massive sweep in MacArthur Park, and Bass was outraged.
Now, however, she has backed a $2.3 million plan to clean up the crime-plagued park that Donald Trump wanted to fix with the help of federal agents.
This fight against ICE and federal agents goes from top to bottom in the California government.
For instance, earlier this year, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation that would ban federal agents, such as ICE, from being able to wear masks during operations.
At the time, he stated, “Immigrants have rights and we have the right to stand up and push back.”
The Department of Homeland Security responded, “Once again sanctuary politicians are trying to outlaw officers wearing masks to protect themselves from being doxed and targeted by known and suspected terrorist sympathizers.”
In July, federal agents showed up at MacArthur Park for a sweep, and Mayor Bass just about lost her mind.
This park is known for nefarious activity, including violent crime as well as gang and drug activity.
Bass told the media, "In my opinion, it's a political agenda of invoking fear and terror. No plan other than fear, chaos, and politics." Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino immediately pushed back, stating, "I don't work for Karen Bass. Better get used to us now, cause this is going to be normal very soon. We will go anywhere, anytime we want in Los Angeles."
The feds did leave, but there has been a rather interesting change of heart by Bass on this subject.
After railing about federal agents sweeping the park for criminals and illegals, guess who just greenlit a $2.3 million project to clean up the park, which will include a wrought-iron fence that will be installed around the park (and here I thought walls didn’t work).
When Bass told the federal officers to leave, one agent stated, “This pisses me off. She is scared for the kid’s safety … due to immigration officials at the park, but never scared for their safety when the park is filled with homeless, drugs, MS-13 and violence.” But now it will be Bass leading the charge.
I am just curious how Bass will respond when she is asked about the LAPD sweeping the park to rid it of homeless and drug dealers. Her administration has already responded to questions about the fencing, however, stating, “A decorative fence around the perimeter of MacArthur Park is a positive step that could help the City secure the park after hours and prevent vandalism and the destruction of park amenities.”
Maybe that is what Trump should call the border wall to make it more appealing to Democrats. Next time he is asked about it, he can say it is a decorative fence to secure our border and prevent nefarious actors from coming in. Perhaps that will go over better.
