Nithya Raman scorched for vicious attack on ICE agent operation in LA: ‘Facts matter’

Los Angeles Mayor-elect Nithya Raman was slapped with a fiery rebuke by a top federal prosecutor after accusing ICE agents of reckless conduct during a tense confrontation at a hospital.

Bill Essayli, the First Assistant US Attorney for the Central District of California, blasted Raman Saturday after the democratic socialist condemned federal immigration agents over their presence at Adventist Health White Memorial Medical Center in Boyle Heights.

“I know you’re new to this, but facts matter,” Essayli wrote in a pointed response to the newly elected mayor on X.

“ICE was there to get medical treatment for a detainee who requested to see a doctor. I assume you support federal agents providing medical care to illegal immigrants in custody?” he added.

The war of words erupted after Raman, who ousted Karen Bass as mayor, accused the Trump administration of putting Angelenos at risk following a clash between federal agents and demonstrators outside the hospital.

“I’m appalled by what took place last night at White Memorial hospital in Boyle Heights, where ICE agents were obstructing emergency room entry and detained two US citizens,” Raman wrote Saturday.

“I condemn these reckless actions by the Trump administration.

“Every Angeleno should be able to get medical care without worrying about being deported and torn from their loved ones. Angelenos should not have to live in fear. ICE has no place in Los Angeles,” she added.

Essayli, however, accused protesters of creating a dangerous confrontation and defended the agents’ response.

“These agitators created a dangerous situation for the public and law enforcement,” he wrote.

“Law enforcement will never back down to thugs, so efforts to intimidate ICE will fail. They called for backup, controlled the scene, and arrested two individuals who assaulted federal agents.”

The federal prosecutor also took aim at Raman’s understanding of the limits of her authority as mayor, reminding her that immigration enforcement falls under federal jurisdiction.

“As a public official, you should know the applicable laws. Agents are enforcing federal immigration laws passed by Congress. As mayor, you have no say in federal affairs. It’s called the Supremacy Clause. I can send you a copy of the U.S. Constitution if you’d like to study up,” Essayli wrote.

He also pushed back against Raman’s comments about immigrants, arguing she should distinguish between those who entered the country legally and those who did not.

“When you talk about immigrants, please distinguish between legal and illegal immigrants,” he wrote.

“I’m the son of legal immigrants. Our family followed the law, was welcomed with open arms, and is proud to be law-abiding Americans. The two are not the same.”

Raman wasted little time signaling her opposition to the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown after winning the mayoral race, joining anti-ICE demonstrators outside White Memorial on Saturday and leading chants demanding federal agents leave the city.

“I am an immigrant myself,” Raman told the crowd. “I have felt the fear that so many across this city, across this country have felt since these raids began.”

Speaking in Spanish, she led chants of “ICE out of Boyle Heights” and “ICE out of LA” before describing the previous night’s confrontation as an affront to Americans.

Outgoing Mayor Bass also weighed in, calling on the Trump administration to halt immigration enforcement around medical facilities.

“I condemn ICE’s action and call on the Trump Administration to stop all immigration enforcement in and around health care facilities,” Bass said.

The backlash followed a Friday night confrontation in which ICE agents brought a detainee to White Memorial’s emergency department for undisclosed medical reasons.

Hospital officials said federal agents blocked the emergency entrance for roughly two hours, forcing ambulances to be rerouted.

“When agents formed a line across our ambulance entrance, which we did not request nor authorize,” a hospital spokesperson told NBC4, explaining the decision to redirect emergency vehicles.

Raman’s remarks and Essayli’s response have set up an early clash between the incoming mayor and federal officials over immigration enforcement in Los Angeles, even before she takes office.

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters