Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso A Candid Conversation with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass
Aug 24, 2025
Karen Bass, the first woman to serve as Los Angeles Mayor, dives deep into her transformative role amid significant challenges. She discusses swift responses to ICE actions, rapid recovery efforts post-wildfires, and the critical Inside Safe program aimed at tackling homelessness. Bass shares personal stories from her upbringing in Venice, her time in Congress, and the profound impact of personal loss on her leadership. She envisions a brighter future for LA, reflecting on the potential of the 2028 Olympics and her unwavering commitment to the city.
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Federal Raids As Political Theater
- Karen Bass calls the ICE raids "performative" and says they were indiscriminate and chaotic.
- She argues federalizing the National Guard was a seizure of power that scared cities nationwide.
Governments Failed To Coordinate
- Bass says the city operated on rumor because the federal government provided no communication or coordination.
- She describes being surprised by raids and learning about them from constituents' photos, not federal notice.
Ambushed At The Jet Bridge
- Bass recounts being ambushed by media at the jet bridge after flying from Ghana and feeling exhausted and startled.
- She says that moment was shocking and later replayed endlessly on social media.