The city of Los Angeles has been engulfed in turmoil as pro-migrant protests have escalated into chaotic riots.
The unrest has brought renewed scrutiny not only to the city’s handling of the crisis but also to the past of Mayor Karen Bass, whose connections and history have recently come back under the spotlight.
National Guard Deployment and Political Clash
Over the weekend, tensions soared when the Trump administration deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles in response to violent protests sparked by immigration raids.
Early Sunday, former President Donald Trump praised the National Guard’s intervention on his social platform, Truth Social, while sharply criticizing Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass.
Trump called them “unable to handle the task,” blaming them for the unrest spiraling out of control.
Mayor Bass’s Past Connections to the Venceremos Brigade
Amid the chaos, many have revisited Mayor Bass’s ties to the Venceremos Brigade, a socialist revolutionary group that sought to challenge U.S. policies toward Cuba.
These ties first made headlines months earlier during the city’s wildfire crisis, but have resurfaced now as political opponents leverage her history.
Back in 1973, Bass traveled to Cuba with the Brigade and even heard Fidel Castro speak.
She had publicly praised Castro on multiple occasions, notably calling him “comandante en jefe” — or commander-in-chief — when he died in 2016, describing his death as “a great loss to the people of Cuba.”
She has also been connected to Communist Party USA events and was described as a leader of the Venceremos Brigade in Southern California by some reports.
Backlash from Critics and Defenders Alike
Her past has drawn fierce criticism from conservatives and social media users.
Some have accused her of being trained in “revolutionary warfare and subversion” during her involvement with the Brigade, with calls for federal investigations into her current leadership.
Others have claimed she promotes communist ideals and that her handling of the riots is influenced by these beliefs.
However, Bass has defended her past travels and statements in interviews, explaining that her praise for Castro was an expression of sympathy for the Cuban people, not an endorsement of the regime.
She even expressed regret for using the phrase “comandante en jefe,” acknowledging it upset many Cuban exiles.
Growing Violence and Federal Response in Los Angeles
As protests turned violent, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that active-duty Marines were on “high alert” amid the unrest.
The Trump administration sent 2,000 National Guard troops to support local law enforcement in quelling the chaos.
Federal agents, including Border Patrol and Homeland Security officers, engaged with protestors near the suburb of Paramount, deploying tear gas and flash-bang grenades to disperse crowds.
The protests stemmed from ICE raids targeting undocumented migrants, which sparked fierce resistance and clashes on the streets.
Cars were set on fire, rocks and flaming projectiles were thrown at law enforcement, and authorities authorized non-lethal weapons to regain control.
Political Blame Game Intensifies
Trump continued to blame Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass, calling their leadership incompetent and accusing protestors of being “paid troublemakers.”
He also announced a ban on mask-wearing at protests, implying it was a tactic to hide identities.
In response, Mayor Bass thanked the LAPD and Newsom for their support but clarified that the National Guard had not yet been deployed within the city limits.
Governor Newsom, meanwhile, condemned the federal government’s move to deploy troops as “purposefully inflammatory” and warned it would escalate tensions and erode public trust.
The Protests Are Far From Over
Despite the National Guard’s presence and ongoing law enforcement efforts, activists have called for a third day of demonstrations.
The unrest continues to grip the city as both sides prepare for further confrontation.