LA's Mayor Bass urges White House to ensure fan safety during World Cup

VIDEO SHOWS: LOS ANGELES MAYOR KAREN BASS TALKING ABOUT ICE AGENTS BEING SENT TO MILAN FOR THE WINTER OLYMPICS, SAYING THE ADMINISTRATION OF DONALD TRUMP SHOULD SEND A MESSAGE THAT PEOPLE WILL BE SAFE COMING TO LOS ANGELES FOR THE FIFA WORLD CUP AND RESPONDING TO CALLS TO BOYCOTT THE 2026 WORLD CUP ++EDITORS NOTE: CORRECTED SCRIPT TO READ WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 28)++ SHOWS: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (JANUARY 28, 2026) (REUTERS – Access all) 1. LOS ANGELES MAYOR KAREN BASS WALKING OFF STAGE AFTER SPEAKING ABOUT THE FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) LOS ANGELES MAYOR KAREN BASS, RESPONDING TO QUESTION ABOUT ICE AGENTS BEING SENT TO MILAN FOR THE WINTER OLYMPICS, SAYING: "I think it's very frightening. I think that it sends a very scary message to the world. (REPORTER ASKING: And how can you assure fans that come to the U.S. for the L.A. Olympics and for the World Cup that they'll be safe?) Well, I am sure he (U.S. President Donald Trump) is not going to interfere with that, but I do think that message has to come from the White House as well. They are the ones that need to send that message. I will send the message that people are welcome to the city of Los Angeles."  3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) LOS ANGELES MAYOR KAREN BASS, RESPONDING TO QUESTION ABOUT HER MESSAGE TO COUNTRIES THAT WANT TO BOYCOTT THE WORLD CUP), SAYING:  "Well, I'm certainly hoping that they will not do that. That would be terrible. But I also think it sends a message to the administration. We need to show a better face to the world that we are going to welcome people, that they're not going to have immigration problems. That's what we need to make sure of." STORY: Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said on Wednesday (January 28) that the White House must take the lead in assuring international visitors and local fans of their safety during the upcoming World Cup and 2028 Olympics. "I am sure he (U.S. President Donald Trump) is not going to interfere with that, but I do think that message has to come from the White House as well. They are the ones that need to send that message. I will send the message that people are welcome to the city of Los Angeles," Bass said at an event showcasing the city's plans for fans during the FIFA World Cup 2026. Her remarks come after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel will help protect U.S. delegations at next month's Winter Olympics in Italy, causing a political uproar in the country. "I think it's very frightening. I think that it sends a very scary message to the world," Bass said of the deployment.  ICE and Border Patrol agents have come under heavy criticism over their enforcement of President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown after they shot and killed two U.S. citizens in separate incidents this month in Minnesota. (Production: Jane Ross)

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