Nithya Raman Avoids Questions on LAPD Remarks

Los Angeles mayoral candidate Nithya Raman sidestepped questions about her recent "fascist liars" remarks concerning the LAPD and its chief during a campaign fundraiser Thursday evening.

Raman appeared at the Black Cat in Silver Lake for a campaign event, the same venue where she was previously photographed celebrating on the day of immigration raids in June 2025. The event followed a week of intense criticism for Raman, stemming from a now-deleted social media video. The video featured the mayoral candidate repeating the phrase "Only you can stop fascist liars" alongside images of Mayor Karen Bass and LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, with a red 'X' over McDonnell's face.

The Los Angeles Police Protective League expressed outrage over the video's imagery, warning it could endanger McDonnell and his security detail. When approached by The Post for comment outside the fundraiser, Raman declined to answer questions, citing the private nature of the event.

This is not the first time Raman has avoided addressing the controversy. Earlier in the week, she also sidestepped questions at City Hall regarding the video and her potential plans to replace McDonnell as LAPD chief.

Mayor Karen Bass publicly rebuked Raman on Thursday, calling her statements "incredibly irresponsible" and questioning her readiness for leadership.

Raman's campaign has stated that her "fascist liars" comment was directed at federal immigration authorities and the Trump administration, not at Bass, McDonnell, or LAPD officers. The campaign further asserted that the controversial imagery was added by the social media creator who posted the video. A spokesperson for Raman, Liz Garcia, issued a statement saying, "The video was then edited by the creator to put Mayor Bass on screen during that moment, but Nithya never used that phrase to describe Mayor Bass, Chief McDonnell, or LAPD officers, which is why we removed ourselves from the post and asked the creator to take it down immediately."

The campaign statement also noted, "Nithya has also been clear that she disagrees with how LAPD treated Angelenos protesting the ICE raids, including the use of tear gas."

Chief McDonnell responded to Raman's remarks, stating during the June 2025 immigration protests, he was present as violence erupted, questioning if those criticizing the police were there. "I was out there," McDonnell told The Post. "I don't know that people who are criticizing us were anywhere near there."

During the Thursday fundraiser, Raman addressed supporters, criticizing City Hall's leadership and emphasizing the need for change in Los Angeles. "From inside City Hall, I’ve watched the city lose its sense of urgency," Raman said. "I’ve started to see people inside City Hall and outside City Hall lose hope that things can get better in Los Angeles, and I refuse to accept that about my city."

Her remarks followed her vote two days prior to delay a public safety proposal aimed at clearing homeless encampments near schools and other public facilities. The measure had been pending for 508 days before Raman, along with two other council members, voted to postpone it for further review, citing a need for more information on its scope, costs, and enforcement.