NOTE: VIDEO AT THE END OF ARTICLE
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass described the recent protests in her city as “overwhelmingly peaceful” during a Sunday interview on CNN’s State of the Union, despite widespread reports of vandalism, looting, and violent clashes that led to the deployment of federal troops.
Speaking with host Dana Bash, Bass said she surveyed the city from a helicopter during Saturday’s “No Kings” protest—a growing anti-Trump movement that has sparked ongoing demonstrations and unrest in Los Angeles since early June.
“I spent time in the helicopter, flying all over the city looking for the Marines. I didn’t see them,” Bass said.
She added that the federal troops, including the National Guard and U.S. Marines, were primarily stationed to protect the federal building.
Bass emphasized that the city remains under local control, dismissing claims of widespread military presence.
“The National Guard and Marines are here, but this is under local control. The military isn’t operating freely here, and we don’t want them to be,” she said. “Our local law enforcement agencies have full control of the situation.”
The White House confirmed last week that President Donald Trump ordered 2,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles to respond to the civil unrest.
Federal forces were positioned mostly near the city’s federal building, where some detentions occurred during protests on Friday and Saturday, according to the Daily Caller News Foundation (DCNF).
Contrary to Bass’s remarks, DCNF footage and on-site reports showed tensions rising in downtown Los Angeles.
Around mid-afternoon on Saturday, protesters confronted National Guard members near the federal complex. Authorities declared the gathering unlawful as tensions escalated.
Both Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers and Los Angeles County Sheriff deputies worked to disperse the crowds.
Tear gas was used around 4:18 p.m. after protesters refused to clear the area. Some protesters reportedly threw tear gas canisters back at officers, resulting in prolonged clashes into the evening.
By 8:40 p.m., most streets were cleared in accordance with the citywide curfew.
Several injuries and arrests were reported, though official numbers have yet to be released.
Bass acknowledged that protests took place at 15 different locations across the city.
“I flew over each site, and they were overwhelmingly peaceful,” she said.
“It’s expected to have some confrontation at the end of protests. Of course, I wish there was none, but that didn’t define the day. Otherwise, there would have been more arrests.”
Both Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom have criticized the deployment of federal troops, insisting that local law enforcement is capable of managing the unrest.
Still, downtown Los Angeles has experienced ongoing property damage since early June, including arson attacks on Waymo autonomous vehicles, looting of businesses, and vandalism of public spaces.
The “No Kings” protests, which oppose President Trump, have grown across major U.S. cities, with Los Angeles seeing some of the most persistent activity.
Federal and local officials continue to evaluate their response.
The deployment of active-duty Marines alongside the National Guard represents a rare federal intervention in domestic protests, highlighting the administration’s tough stance on maintaining order amid extended unrest.
Mayor Bass has not announced any changes to law enforcement strategies, and protests are expected to continue in the coming days.
