Nithya Raman Deletes Campaign Video Targeting LAPD Chief

Los Angeles mayoral hopeful Nithya Raman has deleted a campaign video that featured a red X superimposed over the face of LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, an image that drew sharp criticism from the police union and Mayor Karen Bass.

The social media interview with influencer Ed Choi, posted on Sunday, also showed an image of Mayor Karen Bass. Raman appeared to call McDonnell "a fascist liar" in the clip, which has since been removed from social media platforms.

The Los Angeles Police Protective League, which represents rank-and-file LAPD officers, condemned the imagery as "dangerous" and a "dog whistle" that could incite violence against the chief. The union stated that Raman's post could endanger McDonnell and the officers assigned to his security detail.

"The violent political rhetoric that has overtaken our public discourse has in many instances led to violence," the union's Board of Directors said. "Raman’s social media post can be seen as a dog whistle by unhinged individuals to go after Chief McDonnell."

Mayor Bass also criticized the video, calling the rhetoric "dangerous and extreme." "Labeling them [police] ‘fascists,’ when officers put on the uniform every day to keep us safe — is crossing the line," Bass said. "It has no place in this city — let alone from someone trying to become mayor."

Raman's campaign attributed the controversial imagery to the video's creator, claiming Raman did not intend to label Bass, McDonnell, or LAPD officers as "fascist liars." According to the campaign, Raman was asked to repeat a phrase by the creator, "only you can stop fascist liars," which she said in reference to the ICE and the Trump administration's actions. The campaign stated the video was later edited to include images of Bass during that portion of the interview. They also asserted that Raman never used the phrase to describe Bass, McDonnell, or LAPD officers, and that they requested the creator remove the post immediately after the editing became apparent.

During the interview itself, Choi addressed Raman, stating, "Los Angeles has become extremely fascist, especially because Karen Bass appointed Jim McDonnell as the chief of police." He then asked Raman for her plan "to de-fascicize this city?"

Raman responded by expressing her view that the LAPD protects federal immigration agents and called for new leadership within the department. "I don’t believe that Chief McDonnell has met this moment," she said, adding that she would ensure a police chief is appointed who can "really respond to the needs that immigrant Angelenos have and that every resident of Los Angeles has."

The video's removal comes shortly after a report revealed Raman attended a staff happy hour while federal immigration raids and protests were occurring in Los Angeles. Raman had participated in an anti-ICE protest earlier that day before attending the staff gathering. The response to those raids has become a central theme in Raman's campaign against Bass.

Raman had previously voted to confirm McDonnell when Bass nominated him as LAPD chief in 2024.