Nithya Raman shows appalling judgment in ‘fascist’ video against LAPD

Nithya Raman appears to think she is running for mayor of Antifa, not mayor of LA. There’s no other explanation for her latest attack on her opponent — and the police.

As The California Post has reported, Raman’s campaign posted, then deleted, a video in which she appears to call Mayor Karen Bass and LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell “fascists.” The video also shows McDonnell with a red “X” over his face.

It’s reminiscent of the graffiti scrawled on local businesses and government buildings during the George Floyd riots of 2020, or the anti-ICE riots of 2025.

The rioters are her constituency.

That’s the message she’s sending by calling McDonnell a “fascist.” Does she even know what that means?

Fascism is an extremist ideology that calls for totalitarian rule under a dictator who controls every aspect of society.

It is often associated with racism and antisemitism. In the 20th Century, it gave the world Italian dictatorship — and the Nazi Holocaust.

Not that socialism has a much better record. Stalin and Mao rank with Hitler as the worst mass murderers in history. 

But to call someone a “fascist” in our democratic society is a dangerous form of slander. The “X” is even worse.

And it is worth making the point again: When Raman voted to approve McDonnell’s appointment in 2024, was she a “fascist” for supporting him?

McDonnell has walked a careful line, fighting crime while pushing back against the Trump administration.

Raman’s socialists hate him because LAPD officers protect federal immigration agents and ICE offices from rioters.

But the LAPD does not enforce immigration law. 

What would Raman have the LAPD do — let Antifa thugs burn government buildings down? Smash bricks into officers’ heads?

If Raman wants to shout “fascist” at cops, maybe she should quit the race and join the rioters.

This kind of rhetoric has no place in our politics. Not in America. Not in LA.

We need a mayor who can unite the city, not divide it even further.

Angelenos remember what anti-police rioters did to LA in 2020. The smashed storefronts, the curfews, the fear.

That might play well in France, where students are rioting in the streets.

But not here.

Raman has struggled to live down her call to “defund the police” in 2020. It’s clear that’s still where her heart is.

Instead of apologies, Raman’s campaign is offering excuses. 

It is a sign of appalling judgment.

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