The Trump administration’s aggressive crackdown on undocumented immigrants and protesters has put local police departments in a difficult position. The challenges were on display last Tuesday during a Los Angeles City Council meeting as city leaders faced off against Police Chief Jim McDonnell.
Some of the critiques were rhetorical. City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, for instance, took issue with McDonnell’s use of the phrase “law enforcement partners” to describe U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“If we know somebody is coming here to do warrantless abductions of the residents of this city, those are not our partners,” he said. “I don’t care what badge they have on or whose orders they’re under. They’re not our partners.”
There were also substantive questions about LAPD’s use of force at the anti-ICE protests in downtown L.A. On June 8, an Australian reporter was shot with rubber bullets by an officer on live TV. The shocking footage raised questions about LAPD tactics.
The most illustrative questioning came from Councilmember Imelda Padilla when she asked the chief whether he could let city officials know of impending immigration raids before they happen.
“You’re asking me to warn you about an enforcement action being taken by another agency before it happens? We can’t do that,” McDonnell replied. “That would be completely inappropriate and illegal.”
The exchange underscored the delicate balancing act local authorities must perform as the Trump administration asserts federal control without local input or consent.
Chief McDonnell has repeatedly tried to separate LAPD’s mission from that of ICE. He opposed Trump using the National Guard to quell protests. But with the immigrant community living in fear, some residents and leaders want more — including support and assurances he says he can’t provide.