Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass recently addressed her upcoming reelection campaign and the challenge posed by former Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Austin Beutner. In an interview with CBS LA’s Ross Palombo, Bass expressed that the emergence of Beutner as a contender was anticipated. “Actually, it wasn’t a surprise,” she remarked, emphasizing her responsibility to highlight her accomplishments and the ongoing work required in the city.
Addressing Homelessness in Los Angeles
Bass defended her administration’s efforts to tackle homelessness, which has been a pressing issue in Los Angeles. She highlighted significant strides made since taking office in December 2022, particularly in reducing visible encampments on major thoroughfares. “What my focus has been, has been on street homelessness and encampments,” she said, noting that areas like Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard have seen marked improvements.
According to the 2025 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count, there was a reported decrease of 4% in homelessness over the past year. Despite this statistic, Beutner raised concerns regarding the accuracy of the count, referencing a report from the RAND Corporation that suggests thousands of homeless individuals may have been overlooked. “We all know it is up because we see it,” Beutner stated, calling the situation a “humanitarian crisis.” While Bass acknowledged the need for improvement in the homeless count, she disagreed with Beutner’s assertion that the number of homeless individuals is increasing.
Conflict with the Trump Administration
Much of Bass’s attention in 2025 has been directed towards her ongoing conflict with the Trump administration, particularly regarding immigration enforcement in Los Angeles. She criticized the administration for deploying National Guard troops to the city, stating, “Our city was under assault from the federal government.” Bass emphasized that Los Angeles was the first city targeted in this manner and criticized the administration’s approach to immigration enforcement.
On Monday, Bass called for a federal investigation into alleged unlawful detentions of both U.S. citizens and immigrants during federal immigration raids. She described these actions as “unlawful” and “unconstitutional,” following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that permitted immigration officers to consider factors such as race or occupation during detentions.
In response, Beutner remarked that the Trump administration’s focus on Los Angeles reflects a lack of effective local governance. “That’s when people like Donald Trump come in and say, ‘If you’re that rudderless, I’ll come in,'” he stated, urging the city to address its challenges more proactively.
The political landscape in Los Angeles is shaping up to be a dynamic one as both Bass and Beutner engage in discussions surrounding critical issues. As the election approaches, Bass remains committed to emphasizing her administration’s achievements while navigating the complexities of her political challenges.
