Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Raman Faces Backlash After Deleted Video Criticizes LA Leaders
Nithya Raman is running to become mayor of Los Angeles.
Her campaign shared a video criticizing the current mayor and the city’s police chief.
The video used the words “fascist liars” and showed the police chief’s face crossed out.
Raman’s campaign said she did not call either person a fascist.
The campaign later removed the video, but copies continued to circulate online.
Police Chief Jim McDonnell said he was disappointed by the video.
He also disagreed with Raman’s criticism of how police handled immigration protests in June 2025.
McDonnell said 52 officers were injured during those protests.
He said some officers suffered hearing damage or concussions.
A campaign video featuring Los Angeles mayoral candidate Nithya Raman criticized Mayor Karen Bass and LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell.
Raman said, “Only you can stop fascist liars,” while McDonnell’s image appeared crossed out; her campaign later deleted the video.
Raman’s campaign said she did not directly call Bass or McDonnell fascists.
McDonnell called the video’s association with Raman disappointing and disputed her criticism of police conduct during June 2025 immigration protests.
McDonnell said 52 officers were injured during the protests, including officers with hearing damage and concussions.
- Who
- Los Angeles mayoral candidate and City Councilwoman Nithya Raman, Mayor Karen Bass, and LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell.
- What
- Raman’s campaign faced criticism after posting and deleting a video criticizing Bass and McDonnell; McDonnell defended his officers and disputed Raman’s account of their conduct.
- When
- The video was posted and later deleted; McDonnell’s comments refer to immigration protests in June 2025.
- Where
- Los Angeles, California.
- Why
- The video’s language and its criticism of city leaders and police prompted objections from Bass’s campaign and police groups; McDonnell also challenged Raman’s description of the police response to the protests.
Raman and her campaign
McDonnell, Bass’s campaign, and police groups
Video language and its meaning
Raman and her campaign
Raman’s campaign said she did not directly call Bass or McDonnell a “fascist.”
McDonnell, Bass’s campaign, and police groups
McDonnell said he was disappointed Raman was associated with the video; Bass’s campaign and police groups criticized its language.
Police response to immigration protests
Raman and her campaign
Raman accused the LAPD of protecting federal immigration agents rather than protesters during the unrest.
McDonnell, Bass’s campaign, and police groups
McDonnell rejected her claims and said officers faced serious assaults, with 52 injured, including some with hearing damage and concussions.
- Candidate
- Nithya Raman, Los Angeles City Councilwoman and mayoral candidate
- People criticized in video
- Mayor Karen Bass and LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell
- Video phrase
- “Only you can stop fascist liars”
- Video status
- Removed from Raman’s campaign social media accounts; copies continued to circulate
- Protest period
- June 2025 immigration protests in Los Angeles
- Officer injuries
- McDonnell said 52 officers were injured
- Reported injuries
- McDonnell said some officers suffered hearing damage and concussions