The drama
Nithya Raman is doubling down on her mayoral campaign, promising to fire LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell if she wins. Her reason? She claims his response to ICE raids in June 2025 didn’t protect the immigrant community. But the real tea? Leaked photos from that exact day—June 6—show the councilwoman grabbing margaritas with staff for three hours while thousands of protesters were busy spray-painting anti-ICE slogans and clashing with police downtown.
The fallout
Naturally, the Los Angeles Police Protective League is calling her out, essentially saying the vibes are off. They pointed out that while Mayor Bass was on the ground trying to deescalate the situation at MacArthur Park, Raman was at a happy hour. Raman’s camp claims she did stop by a protest for 90 minutes before heading to get a drink, but her critics are unimpressed. Political consultant Michael Trujillo didn't hold back, saying, "I suppose drinking margaritas with tequila is her way of being there for Latinos."
What this means for you
Raman’s platform is lowkey radical—she’s pushing to audit cops to ensure they aren't working with federal immigration authorities and wants to trade hiring more officers for unarmed crisis response teams. Meanwhile, the LAPD is currently short 4,000 officers. While crime stats—including homicides and burglaries—are down, the department is worried that swapping out leadership right now would be a massive L for morale, especially with the 2028 Olympics on the horizon. Real talk: it’s a high-stakes standoff between city hall policy and department operations.
Why it matters
This isn't just about a drink; it’s a signal of how Raman plans to handle public safety and immigration if she gets the top job. With the city’s police force already stretched thin, voters are looking at a clear divide between her progressive vision and the status quo.
