Mayor Bass criticized for late response to riots in LA

In June 2025, Los Angeles witnessed significant chaos as anti-ICE protests escalated into violent riots. This situation garnered widespread attention as former LAPD detective Moses Castillo, who was present during the 1992 Rodney King riots, expressed concerns that history is repeating itself. Castillo highlighted that police officers faced severe violence, with protestors throwing Molotov cocktails and other projectiles. Castillo attributed part of the unrest to ineffective leadership from Mayor Karen Bass, claiming she was too late to take a firm stand against the violence, which resulted in the deployment of National Guard troops and Marines to restore order. The violence escalated after protests emerged in response to ICE arrests of illegal immigrants, with thousands of demonstrators taking to the streets. Officers reported numerous arrests for offenses such as assault on officers, looting, and arson, with many incidents occurring near major highways, including the 101 freeway. The LAPD deployed tear gas to disperse crowds and attempted to regain control over the deteriorating situation. Estimates indicated that about 200 protestors were arrested during one violent night alone. Moses Castillo narrated his experiences during the earlier Rodney King riots, drawing parallels between the two events, stating that both situations involved significant destruction and civil unrest. Castillo emphasized the role of technology, particularly social media, in exacerbating the situation due to the rapid spread of information and mobilization of demonstrators. He noted that both governmental leaders and local officials needed to engage in discussions and unite their efforts to address the disruptions instead of blaming each other publicly. The deployment of military personnel following the protests marked the first significant military involvement in Los Angeles since the earlier riots over the acquittals of LAPD officers, which had sparked massive civil unrest in 1992. With the National Guard and Marines providing assistance, officials hoped to restore order amidst increasing violence and discontent in local communities. However, Castillo highlighted that Mayor Bass's actions seemed reactive rather than proactive, questioning the effectiveness of the city's leadership during critical moments of crisis.