# Nithya Raman says safety comes first. Her record tells a troubling story

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/nithya-raman-says-safety-comes-first-her-record-tells-a-troubling-story/
- Published: 2026-11-07T23:33:05+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-08T00:37:15+00:00
- Original publisher: New York Post (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://nypost.com/2026/11/07/opinion/nithya-raman-says-safety-comes-first-her-record-tells-a-troubling-story/
- Topics: World

## Key points

- The article says Raman’s record conflicts with her public safety pledge.
- It warns removing McDonnell could worsen LAPD staffing.
- The author argues better policing can support racial justice.

## Summary

The opinion article argues that Los Angeles mayor-elect Nithya Raman’s stated priority of public safety conflicts with her past positions on policing and immigration enforcement. It urges her to retain LAPD chief Jim McDonnell, warning that removing him could weaken the department when the city faces major security demands.

The piece cites Raman’s 2020 call to “defund the police”, her later appearance in a video describing police and McDonnell as “fascist”, and her support for abolishing ICE. It says former LAPD chief Bill Bratton warned that firing McDonnell could prompt officers to leave, while the department is already understaffed and the Olympics are approaching. The author also credits outgoing mayor Karen Bass with overseeing a drop in crime and argues that racial justice requires better policing rather than fewer officers.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.