Los Angeles Mayor Confronts ICE During Massive MacArthur Park Raid

On July 7, a large federal immigration enforcement operation involving ICE agents, armored vehicles, and mounted officers took place at MacArthur Park in Los Angeles, but no arrests were made during the sweep. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass arrived at the scene and confronted the federal agents, demanding they stop the operation and leave immediately, calling the tactics "unacceptable." The Los Angeles Police Department clarified they were not involved in the raid but were present for crowd control, while the National Guard deployed about 90 troops to protect the federal agents. Despite the significant show of force, federal officials have not provided details on the scope or reasons for the operation. Mayor Bass publicly criticized the raid’s impact on the community, highlighting the distress caused to local residents, including children playing near the park. The incident sparked a debate on immigration enforcement actions in sanctuary cities like Los Angeles, with some local leaders opposing the federal presence.