Watch as people protest ICE and support strikes in Boyle Heights
The demonstrations followed the shooting deaths of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Preti by federal agents in Minnesota.
In the midst of a mayoral election year, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass focused her State of the City address on Monday, February 2, on uniting and improving the city, which is often in the spotlight around the world.
But in his speech, Bass, whose rivals include former Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Austin Beutner and reality TV star and outspoken Bass critic Spencer Pratt, acknowledged some of the biggest challenges facing the city. That includes the federal government.
Over the past year, the city has had to navigate devastating wildfires and their costly aftermath, the Trump administration’s deployment of the National Guard to the city, tensions within the community over federal immigration enforcement, and the city’s bleak fiscal outlook (nearly $1 billion in deficit) during the city’s 2025-2026 budget process.
Here are key takeaways from Bass’ State of the Union address, including her latest comments on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and housing.
Bass calls for abolition of ICE in LA, says protests are part of the city’s power
In a clear statement following a lengthy round of applause, Bass called for an end to the ICE presence in Los Angeles.
“Staying silent or minimizing what happened is not an option,” Bass said. “This administration doesn’t care about safety. It doesn’t care about order, and it definitely doesn’t care about the law. This senseless death, lawlessness, and violence must end. ICE’s presence in Los Angeles must end as well.”
The mayor was calling attention to the death of Keith Porter Jr., a 43-year-old father of two who was shot to death by an off-duty ICE officer in Los Angeles, and the shooting deaths of Alex Preti and Renee Nicole Good by federal immigration enforcement agents in Minnesota.
She was referring to last June’s immigration sweep that sparked days of protests in the city and prompted the deployment of the federal National Guard in a move that Bass, Gov. Gavin Newsom and others protested. In his speech, Bass said this was a misuse of the men and women in the military.
But amid the debate, Bass emphasized unity, explaining neighbors looking out for neighbors and communities forming rapid response networks. Bass said she believes everyone is as proud to be an Angeleno as she is.
“Our city has always been about bringing people together to protest injustice, including peacefully,” Bass said at the beginning of his speech following a weekend of anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles and across the country. “It’s not just our value, it’s our strength.”
But Bass also called on the city of Los Angeles to take action after saying the city is ready to welcome the world to host many sporting events and various celebrations in the coming days.
“We also know that we are ready to resist and confront whatever happens,” Basu said. “Whether it’s a reckless federal government that tries to say this city is broken and needs help and needs to be rescued, whether it’s someone who says our values are negotiable, whether it’s someone who tries to undermine our city, or someone who underestimates the strength, unity, and courage of this city, we’re not going to stand for it.”
Bass talks about homelessness in Los Angeles, the need for affordable housing
According to Bass, the path forward for Los Angeles is: Continue to “resolve” encampments, “intensify” efforts to secure housing and affordability for veterans, and “accelerate” beautification efforts along major urban corridors.
“The biggest test for L.A. is whether people can actually afford to live here,” Bass said.
The mayor highlighted the displacement of 30,000 homes through executive order and acknowledged the Los Angeles City Council’s efforts to control rent increases.
Bass said among the achievements in tackling homelessness are about 120 encampments that have been “resolved” through the city’s Inside Safe strategy, with “thousands” of people moved into permanent housing.
In addition to providing $14 million in rental subsidies to seniors and people with disabilities, Bass said Los Angeles is also planning new initiatives to address veteran homelessness in the city, including a call for landlords to provide housing to veterans.
Los Angeles’ track record in tackling homelessness isn’t perfect. One example: An independent assessment released last year said information gaps, inaccurate and incomplete data and documentation called into question the evaluation of several city homeless assistance programs. A “lack of data and real-time monitoring” limited the ability to assess “the effectiveness of homelessness programs” and “increased the risk of misallocation of resources,” the review said. In January, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California alleged that the executive director of a Los Angeles-based charity embezzled “at least $10 million” of $23 million fraudulently obtained to fight homelessness.
2028 LA Olympics and 2026 FIFA World Cup: LA gears up for the world stage
In his Feb. 2 speech, Bass chose to emphasize Los Angeles’ role as a host for major sporting events.
In June, the U.S. Women’s Open Golf Championship will be held at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades. Prior to that, the city plans to offer a golf clinic for girls, Bass said.
Next on the city’s agenda is the FIFA World Cup, with several matches to be held at SoFi Stadium.
Bass said Los Angeles plans to hold more than 100 viewing parties and events across the city as part of an effort to make World Cup matches available to everyone, not just those who can afford a seat.
Before Bass’ speech, Angel City Football Club CEO Julie Ehrman announced the renewal of their partnership with the Recreation and Parks Department through 2028. Under the partnership, $3 million will be invested to provide services to girls and “gender-expansive youth.”
In two years’ time, the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games will be held.
“This is a special opportunity and a great responsibility,” Bass said. “When the world looks at L.A., they won’t just look at our venues. They’ll look at our values, the diversity of our people, and everything our neighborhoods have to offer.”
Paris Barraza is a reporter covering Los Angeles and Southern California for the USA TODAY Network. please contact her pbarraza@usatodayco.com.
