Nithya Raman ducks questions amid fallout from fascist liars video targeting LAPD

Los Angeles mayoral hopeful Nithya Raman dodged questions from the California Post Thursday night about her explosive “fascist liars” remarks and plans to replace the LAPD’s top cop.The councilwoman appeared at a campaign fundraiser at the Black Cat in Silver Lake, the same swanky watering hole where she was photographed raising drinks and toasting with members of her team on the day immigration raids erupted across Los Angeles in June 2025.The fundraiser capped a turbulent week for Raman, who faced fierce backlash over a since-deleted social media video featuring the mayoral candidate repeating the words, “Only you can stop fascist liars,” alongside images of Mayor Karen Bass and LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell.The video also showed a large red X over the police chief’s face, sparking outrage from the Los Angeles Police Protective League, which warned that the imagery could endanger McDonnell and officers assigned to protect him.When The Post approached Raman Thursday night outside the fundraiser, she declined to answer any questions, saying she was attending a private event.It was a repeat performance from earlier in the week at City Hall, where Raman also brushed off The Post’s questions about the “fascist liars” video and whom she would appoint to replace McDonnell as LAPD chief.During a press conference Thursday, Bass blasted her rival as “incredibly irresponsible” and questioned whether she was “ready for prime time.”Raman’s campaign has maintained that her remark referred to federal immigration authorities and the Trump administration, not Bass or McDonnell, and that the video’s controversial imagery was added by the social media creator.“Nithya was interviewed by several social media creators on Sunday,” Raman spokesperson Liz Garcia said in a statement.“In one interview, the creator asked her to repeat his phrase, ‘only you can stop fascist liars,’ which she said in reference to ICE and the Trump administration’s violent ...