Police union leaders warn that a Democratic Socialist–aligned candidate could reshape Los Angeles with policies that reduce traditional policing and expand government control of housing and services.
Story Highlights
- Police union critics say Nithya Raman’s ties to Democratic Socialists of America point to major shifts in policing and housing policy.
- Democratic Socialists of America–Los Angeles backs ideas like replacing some police duties with unarmed workers and imposing a vacancy tax.
- Raman is described as the first Los Angeles City Council member affiliated with Democratic Socialists of America and touts progressive wins.
- Records show Raman has also broken with Democratic Socialists of America on high-profile issues, complicating claims of a “secret plan”.
Police Union Raises Alarm Over Agenda Linked to Socialism
Los Angeles police union voices are sounding the alarm about what they call a hidden agenda if Nithya Raman becomes mayor. Their warning centers on Democratic Socialists of America–Los Angeles policy planks. Those ideas include shifting certain duties from sworn officers to unarmed workers, making transit free, imposing universal rent control, and adding a vacancy tax on empty units. These proposals would push City Hall toward bigger government and weaker policing, critics argue.
Police union messaging ties Raman’s record to this platform and urges voters to connect the dots. The critics point to past ads about her votes on encampment policy and say her approach risks street disorder and fewer tools for officers. They say these changes would raise response times and morale problems. Their larger fear is a City Hall that puts ideology ahead of safety, while costs for taxpayers balloon under expanded programs and new mandates.
What Raman Says She Will Do as Mayor
Nithya Raman says she is running on housing, homelessness, accountability, and public safety. She argues Los Angeles needs faster action to move people indoors and clean up streets. She says her plan targets shelter beds at encampments so camps can be cleared in a lasting way, without relying only on punishment. She also frames her pitch as better management at City Hall, with more urgency and clear results on basics people feel every day.
Raman also highlights past wins to show results over rhetoric. She says she helped pass what she calls the strongest renter protections in America, lowered allowed rent hikes in rent-stabilized homes, created a homelessness oversight office, and backed independent redistricting to clean up city politics. Supporters say this shows a focus on service, not slogans. That record helps her argue she can govern and keep the city moving, even while pushing reforms.
How Her Democratic Socialists of America Ties Fit the Picture
Coverage describes Raman as the first Los Angeles City Council member affiliated with Democratic Socialists of America, which is central to the union’s charge. The group has endorsed her and supports shifting some police functions to unarmed responders and expanding public ownership. These ties raise red flags for many voters who back strong policing and limited government. At the same time, affiliation alone does not prove a full policy adoption or any secret commitments.
There is also evidence she has broken with Democratic Socialists of America on key issues. Reports say she condemned Hamas after the October 7 attack and stated she does not support the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement. Those moves show she is willing to split with the group. That weakens claims that she will rubber-stamp every plank. It also shows why the “hidden plan” charge needs proof beyond shared labels.
What’s Proven, What’s Not, and Why It Matters Now
The record shows three firm points. First, Democratic Socialists of America–Los Angeles backs sweeping policy changes on policing and housing that would shift power to City Hall and away from private owners. Second, police union critics are pressing voters to see Raman’s agenda through that lens and to expect softer enforcement and higher costs. Third, Raman talks more about housing, homelessness, and better management than about a full Democratic Socialists of America platform, and she has split with the group at times.
🚨 LA MAYORAL RACE: Nithya Raman has secured the endorsement of Los Angeles DSA, which says it backs her campaign. Critics are raising concerns about how much influence democratic socialists could have at City Hall. 👀🏛️
What do you think? 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/NZSOd5ClN9
— John _f_ Kennedy JR (@John_fk_jr7) September 21, 2026
For conservatives, the stakes are clear. Los Angeles has struggled with crime, encampments, and trust in government. A move toward fewer sworn officers on key tasks, wider rent controls, and more public ownership would test safety, liberty, and wallets. Voters should demand specific answers: Will police staffing fall? Will unarmed workers replace traffic stops? Will the city tax empty homes or seize property? Clear yes-or-no pledges on these issues will tell residents how their rights and safety will fare.
Sources:
nypost.com, iheart.com, latimes.com, podscripts.co, yahoo.com, forward.com
