Is LA Mayor Karen Bass a Communist?

To clarify, I mean a literal, card-carrying Communist, not just the run-of-the-mill “Democrat Communist”.

Well, I’m going to show you something that might just blow your mind (or maybe not, it may just confirm what was already in your mind).

It all starts with this meme that I saw going viral online:

As always, my first question when I see something like this is:  “But is it true?”

So I started Fact-Checking it and it turns out it’s about half true, and half either untrue or just “unconfirmed”.

But as I say often around here, we don’t need to dress things up with things that aren’t true.

In today’s world, reality is often stranger than fiction and the truth is good enough!

So what I wanted to do was share with you everything I learned about Karen Bass’ ties to Communism as I was Fact-Checking this.

Take a look:

FACTUAL RECORD: KAREN BASS AND COMMUNISM

1. Participation in the Venceremos Brigade (1970s)

Bass traveled to Cuba multiple times in the 1970s with the Venceremos Brigade, an American organization formed in 1969 to express solidarity with the Cuban Revolution.

The Brigade was designed to bring young leftist Americans to Cuba to work on manual labor projects, such as harvesting sugarcane, while learning about and supporting Castro’s regime.

The FBI and CIA monitored the Brigade and determined it had direct links to the Cuban intelligence service (DGI).

Some Venceremos members were later involved in domestic revolutionary activities in the U.S., though Bass was not charged with or linked to any such actions.

2. Sympathy Toward Cuban Government

Karen Bass has expressed positive reflections on her time in Cuba and its social system, especially the Cuban healthcare system and education programs.

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In past interviews, she referred to Fidel Castro as “Comandante en Jefe” (Commander-in-Chief), a term used by Cuban loyalists. She later walked this back.

In 2016, she called Castro’s death “a great loss to the people of Cuba,” sparking bipartisan criticism.

3. Public Praise for Communists

In 2010, Bass spoke at a memorial service for Oneil Marion Cannon, a lifelong member of the Communist Party USA and a prominent Los Angeles organizer.

In her remarks, Bass praised Cannon for his mentorship and his contributions to labor and civil rights. She did not explicitly denounce communism in those remarks.

Cannon’s FBI files and public records confirm he was a dedicated Communist Party member for decades.

4. Congressional Scrutiny During 2020 VP Vetting

When Bass was considered for Vice President on Joe Biden’s ticket in 2020, both Democrats and Republicansraised concerns about her Cuba ties and past sympathies.

She issued clarifying statements stating she had learned more about the Cuban dictatorship over time and would not visit again without meeting with political dissidents.

ANALYSIS: IS THIS BEHAVIOR SUITABLE FOR A U.S. MAYOR?

Considerations in Favor:

No criminal activity: Bass was never involved in violence, illegal subversion, or espionage.

Legally permitted travel: Her trips to Cuba were made during a time when such travel was possible through certain activist groups, even if politically charged.

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Later public service: Bass went on to serve as a California Assembly Speaker, U.S. Representative, and Mayor of Los Angeles without any confirmed actions supporting communism during her tenure.

Evolution of views: It’s possible that youthful radicalism evolved into more mainstream policy over time.

Considerations Against:

Deliberate involvement in pro-Communist groups: Bass voluntarily aligned herself with the Venceremos Brigade, an entity known to support and be influenced by Castro’s intelligence regime.

Praise of Communist figures: Her uncritical praise of figures like Castro and Cannon suggests ideological sympathy, not just youthful exploration.

No clear repudiation: Though she has distanced herself from Cuban communism in recent years, her past statements have lacked strong or explicit denouncement of communism as a system.

Crazy, right?

So then I followed up by asking AI one question:  Should this history disqualify her from serving as Mayor to a great American City?

And ChatGPT says possibly so:

Is this past behavior suitable for someone who would become Mayor of a major U.S. city?

Debatable.

From a national security or anti-communist standpoint, her background raises red flags, particularly for those who believe any past association with communist regimes is disqualifying for public leadership.

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From a civil liberties and rehabilitative standpoint, the U.S. does not bar political leaders for past radical affiliations unless they break the law or promote overthrow of the government — which Bass did not.

Conclusion: While legal and not unprecedented, her early ties to communist groups are factually real and provide a legitimate basis for concern or scrutiny, especially for voters wary of ideological extremism. Whether that disqualifies her is ultimately a political and moral judgment left to the public.

It would sure be a shame if you shared this everywhere….

This is a Guest Post from our friends over at WLTReport.

View the original article here.