In a stunning display of woke leadership gone wrong, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass recently admitted that the city is in such disarray following violent anti-ICE protests that it might not be ready to host the 2026 World Cup. The city, long touted as a global hub for major events, is now facing an embarrassing reality: graffiti and vandalism from left-wing rioters have blanketed multiple downtown blocks, threatening the city’s ability to present itself as a world-class venue.
The chaos erupted on June 6, 2025, when protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) turned violent. Rioters rampaged through parts of downtown Los Angeles, forcing President Trump to dispatch the National Guard and even Marines to restore order. Instead of standing firm against the destruction, Mayor Bass appeared to downplay the severity of the unrest — even as the damage to the city was undeniable.
At a press conference on June 10, Mayor Bass tried to shift blame and control the narrative by insisting that the riots were confined to a few blocks downtown and that “it is not all of downtown, and it is not all of the city.” However, the mayor’s attempt to minimize the situation rang hollow as she admitted the extent of the “extensive vandalism” and graffiti defacing large portions of the city center.
The mayor made the awkward acknowledgment that this vandalism might prevent Los Angeles from hosting the highly anticipated 2026 World Cup — a blow not just to the city’s pride but to its economy as well. Bass called on “business leaders, community leaders, [and] faith leaders” to band together to clean up the mess left behind. City workers are already removing graffiti, she said, but the task “is so extensive it’s going to take community-wide involvement.”
What’s striking about Bass’s comments is the disconnect between the usual woke rhetoric defending protest movements and her clear admission that the violence and destruction were “unacceptable” and that those responsible “will be arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.” Yet, just days earlier, the mayor seemed to defend the protests under the guise of immigrant rights, insisting that the city relies on “reporting from the community, especially the immigrant rights organizations,” instead of receiving formal notification of ICE raids.
Bass also tried to distinguish genuine immigrant supporters from those who commit acts of violence and vandalism, claiming, “If you support immigrants and the rights of immigrants to be in our city, you would not be tearing the city apart or vandalizing it.” Yet, her administration’s soft stance on law and order helped create the environment where chaos could thrive.
The mayor’s failure to take a strong stand against lawlessness comes at a critical time when Los Angeles is preparing for a global stage. The World Cup is expected to draw millions of visitors, and the city’s reputation for safety and order is paramount. Instead, the city faces the embarrassing prospect of being unfit to host because of political unrest fueled by left-wing radicals.
This episode reveals the dangers of woke governance, where political correctness and pandering to activist groups take precedence over public safety and common sense. Los Angeles residents, taxpayers, and businesses deserve leadership that prioritizes law and order, not excuses and blame-shifting.
Mayor Bass’s call for a community clean-up effort is too little, too late. The city’s image and ability to host the World Cup depend on swift, decisive action — not hollow promises or vague pleas for “community-wide involvement.”
As Los Angeles struggles with the aftermath of these riots, one thing is clear: soft-on-crime leadership coupled with reckless pandering to radical elements will only leave the city scarred and struggling on the world stage. The sooner the city’s leaders embrace tough, no-nonsense policies, the better for everyone who calls Los Angeles home.
