Running the city

After federal immigration raids in early June 2025 set off protests, President Trump federalized the California National Guard and sent Marines over the objections of Gov. Newsom and Bass. Most protests were peaceful; some nights brought looting downtown. On June 10 Bass declared a local emergency and an 8 p.m.–6 a.m. curfew over about a square mile of downtown, lifted June 17. [1] [2] [3]

Bass said the troops “provoked” residents. The administration said they protected federal officers and property. [4] [1]

The city faced a deficit of nearly $1 billion for 2025–26. Bass proposed more than 1,600 layoffs; labor deals with transfers and unpaid days then averted all civil-service layoffs, her office and FOX 11 reported. [1] [2]

Los Angeles recorded 230 homicides in 2025, down 19% and the fewest since 1966. Bass credits violence-prevention programs; police cite investigations and gun seizures. The LAPD meanwhile shrank toward about 8,600 officers, its smallest in decades. [3] [4] [5]

In February 2026, Justice Department releases of Epstein-related files included flirtatious 2003 emails between LA28 chairman Casey Wasserman and Ghislaine Maxwell. Bass called for his resignation on February 17. He apologized, said he had no relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and stayed; the LA28 board backed him after an outside review. [1] [2]

The board, not the mayor, controls the chair.