Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass waited five days before issuing a downtown curfew amid violent anti-ICE protests, drawing sharp criticism for what Republicans call a dangerous pattern of delayed responses to city crises. The curfew, once implemented Tuesday, rapidly restored a degree of order after four nights of unchecked rioting, looting, and attacks on law enforcement.
Despite the effectiveness of the curfew, Bass has refused to answer questions about why she delayed its implementation. Her office redirected inquiries to her original curfew announcement and ignored follow-up questions on the curfew’s success and the capacity of local law enforcement to manage the unrest without federal assistance.
The protests began Friday and quickly escalated. Rioters used construction tools to fashion weapons and launched chunks of concrete at police. One image that went viral showed a man waving a Mexican flag while circling a flaming vehicle on a motorcycle. Violence peaked Sunday with mounted police ambushed by firebombs and fireworks, prompting LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell to admit the department was overwhelmed.
President Donald Trump responded by deploying the California National Guard late Saturday. Yet Bass only moved to impose a curfew after looting erupted downtown Monday night. That night, police made 96 arrests. Following the curfew on Tuesday, arrests surged to 203 but then dropped each night, demonstrating the measure’s clear effect on restoring control.
Republican officials say Bass’s delay mirrors her handling of January’s devastating wildfires, which caused $250 billion in damages. During those fires, Bass was abroad in Ghana, attending a presidential inauguration, despite repeated warnings from fire officials. She later blamed the Los Angeles Fire Department for not clearly communicating the threat, though records show the department issued multiple advisories and media briefings.
Compounding the wildfire crisis, a 117-million-gallon hilltop reservoir meant for fire suppression sat empty due to delayed repairs. The dry reservoir led to hydrants running out of water during critical moments, a failure Governor Gavin Newsom said impaired evacuation and containment efforts.
Citywide infrastructure failures continue under Bass’s leadership. Thieves have stripped streetlights of copper wiring, plunging neighborhoods into darkness. Her administration’s response—to install solar-powered lights—was mocked by critics who warned those too would be stolen.
From curfews to fire preparedness, Bass faces mounting accusations of negligence. Her reluctance to act swiftly in multiple emergencies has led Republican leaders to question her capacity to manage Los Angeles during increasingly volatile events.
