Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass sharply criticized the deployment of federal agents and National Guard troops to MacArthur Park on Monday, July 7, calling it a “military-style operation” that struck fear in the community.
The morning operation included armored vehicles, mounted officers, and armed troops, who moved into the park while 20 children were reportedly playing. The heavily armed presence quickly drew public concern and was captured in videos shared online, including by the mayor herself.
“Frankly, it is outrageous and un-American that we have federal armed vehicles in our parks when nothing is going on in our parks,” Bass said at a Monday press conference. “It is outrageous and un-American that the federal government seized our state’s National Guard. It’s outrageous and un-American that we have U.S. Marines who are trained to kill foreign soldiers overseas, deployed in our American city.”
Bass said she went to the park immediately after learning of the incident and ordered the federal commander in charge to leave the area. She later wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that what occurred was “absolutely outrageous” and described it as an intimidation tactic.
“We will not be afraid and we will not be divided. We will stand TOGETHER,” she posted.
The Department of Defense, in a post on X, claimed the troops were there to “ensure the safety of federal agents.”
City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, whose district includes MacArthur Park, echoed Bass’s condemnation. She said the troops were “terrorizing street vendors, elders, and even children at summer camp.”
$134 Million Spent on Deployment
Mayor Bass has consistently opposed the unilateral deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles, which occurred without a request from Governor Gavin Newsom.
Last month, President Donald Trump sent 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles in response to ongoing protests over federal immigration enforcement. Trump defended his decision on Truth Social, writing:
“If we didn’t send out the National Guard — Los Angeles would be burning right now!”
According to defense officials, the 60-day deployment cost the Pentagon $134 million, which covered travel, housing, and food. The funds were drawn from the Department of Defense’s operations and maintenance budget.
Governor Gavin Newsom attempted to block the deployment and has since filed a lawsuit against President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing them of using military resources to aid ICE raids under the guise of public safety.