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THE BOTTOM LINE - Los Angeles mayoral hopeful Nithya Raman is scrambling to distance herself from the very “defund the police” movement that once fueled her political rise a dramatic election-year reversal that is already raising serious questions about credibility, leadership, and political survival.
The Democratic socialist councilwoman, who emerged as one of Los Angeles’ most outspoken progressive voices during the 2020 activist wave, is now publicly abandoning the controversial rhetoric as voter frustration over crime, homelessness, and public safety reaches a boiling point across the city.
Facing growing pressure in the increasingly volatile mayoral race against incumbent Karen Bass and media personality Spencer Pratt, Raman appears to be executing a full political rebrand shifting from activist slogans to public safety messaging as the realities on the ground become impossible to ignore.
During an interview Saturday with CNN’s Jessica Dean, Raman was confronted directly about her apparent reversal.
“Well, I think we need to be able to respond to calls for help. Public safety is incredibly important, and our police force has shrunk significantly,” Raman said.
Dean immediately pressed further: “So you no longer believe in defunding police?”
“No,” Raman replied.
It was a striking moment and one that may haunt her throughout the campaign.
For years, Raman aligned herself with calls to reduce police funding during the height of the national “defund” movement. But as Los Angeles residents increasingly voice anger over rising crime, homelessness, retail theft, street disorder, and deteriorating neighborhood conditions, Raman is now attempting to reposition herself as a pragmatist focused on restoring public safety.
Pressed again on what caused the sudden shift, Raman argued the city’s worsening conditions forced a reassessment.
“We need to ensure the city can respond to calls for service,” she said. “At this moment, with our current response system, we need to maintain the size of our police force.”
Critics, however, see something very different: political damage control.
Raman’s reversal did not happen in a vacuum. It comes as public confidence in City Hall continues to erode and Angelenos grow increasingly exhausted by years of failed promises, worsening street conditions, and a growing sense that city leadership is disconnected from everyday reality.
Just days after launching her mayoral campaign earlier this year, Raman quietly began softening her previous position by expressing support for maintaining current LAPD staffing levels, a major departure from the rhetoric that once energized her activist base.
The shift immediately handed opponents’ fresh ammunition.
“Nithya Raman is a perfect example of convenience politics,” Pratt said in a video posted to X. “When defunding the police was trendy with her base, she leaned in. When activists demanded it, she followed the mob. Now that families no longer feel safe walking through their own neighborhoods, suddenly she’s against it. Why should voters trust her now?”
Since taking office in 2020, Raman has faced mounting criticism as Los Angeles continues struggling with homelessness, public safety concerns, declining city services, and growing voter frustration over the city’s direction. Meanwhile, Bass has also faced intense scrutiny over the handling of crime and the devastating 2025 wildfires that ravaged parts of Los Angeles.
But for many voters, Raman’s reversal may ultimately crystallize a larger concern that could define the race itself:
Was this genuine leadership or simply a politician realizing the politics had changed?
(Mihran Kalaydjian is a seasoned public affairs and government relations professional with more than twenty years of experience in legislative affairs, public policy, community relations, and strategic communications. A respected civic leader and education advocate, he has spearheaded numerous academic and community initiatives, shaping dialogue and driving reform in local and regional political forums. His career reflects a steadfast commitment to transparency, accountability, and public service across Los Angeles and beyond.)
