DOD Responds To LA Mayor
The Department of Defense issued a rare and direct public rebuke of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on Monday following her attempt to halt a major federal immigration enforcement operation in the city’s MacArthur Park area — a location long identified as a hub for MS-13 gang activity.
The situation escalated when Mayor Bass appeared at the scene of the raid and attempted to stop it, claiming children had been playing in the park prior to the arrival of ICE agents and military personnel. Her claims were quickly disputed by on-the-ground reporters. Immigration correspondent Julio Rosas described the park as overrun by trash, human waste, and drug use, adding, “I would be shocked if there were kids playing in MacArthur Park before.”
The Department of Defense responded with a forceful statement on X:
"U.S. military personnel are on the ground to ensure the safety of federal agents. We will protect federal law enforcement and assist by establishing a security perimeter."
BREAKING: We are with hundreds of federal agents and military as a massive federal immigration enforcement operation is underway in the MacArthur Park area of the sanctuary city of Los Angeles, an area with heavy MS-13 influence. Mayor Bass has demanded raids stop, Feds respond… pic.twitter.com/g4osPOL6mr
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) July 7, 2025
The DOD’s statement came alongside reporting from Fox News’ Bill Melugin, who confirmed the scope of the raid. According to Melugin, hundreds of federal agents and military units were involved, including Border Patrol agents on horseback, as part of one of the largest federal operations yet conducted in a sanctuary city.
Defense officials confirmed that the coordinated operation involved 17 Humvees, four tactical vehicles, two ambulances, and armed National Guard troops. The mobilization was ordered by President Donald Trump last month following nationwide protests over immigration enforcement.
When Bass demanded the raid end, she was reportedly met with resistance from federal officials. Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino responded bluntly to her intervention, stating:
“I don’t work for Karen Bass. Better get used to us now, ‘cause this is going to be normal very soon. We will go anywhere, anytime we want in Los Angeles.”
I would be shocked if there were kids playing in McArthur Park before. Whole area is covered in trash, human waste, and a bunch of drugged out people. https://t.co/OqYe19sgm1
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) July 7, 2025
The confrontation highlights the growing tension between federal immigration authorities and leadership in sanctuary cities like Los Angeles. While federal agents previously relied on cooperation from local officials to detain individuals flagged for immigration violations, refusals to honor detainers have forced ICE to pursue direct, on-the-ground enforcement.
The MacArthur Park raid underscores the federal government’s shift toward more aggressive tactics in noncompliant jurisdictions. Following the raid, RedState’s coverage noted that this response was predictable, given increasing obstruction from local officials.
Meanwhile, federal agents remain on alert after a separate incident in McAllen, Texas, where a gunman attempted to ambush Border Patrol agents. The attacker was killed, and two agents along with a staff member were injured. The Department of Homeland Security has reported a 700% rise in assaults on ICE personnel in the past year, intensifying concerns over agent safety as immigration enforcement operations expand.