Spencer Pratt opposes Trump-style ICE raids across city but supports removal of violent offenders

WASHINGTON, DC: Former reality TV star Spencer Pratt is trying to separate himself from President Donald Trump on immigration enforcement as the Los Angeles mayoral candidate pushes a tough-on-crime campaign while insisting he does not support ICE raids targeting restaurants and stores.

The balancing act comes as Trump’s public support for Pratt has become a growing flashpoint in the race. Democrats and political analysts have argued the endorsement could hurt Pratt in deep-blue Los Angeles, where Trump remains deeply unpopular.

Spencer Pratt draws line on ICE raids

Pratt made the distinction clear while discussing similarities between himself and Trump, saying both appeal to voters frustrated over crime and public safety issues but differ sharply on immigration tactics.

Speaking to Vanity Fair, Pratt said, “I don't want ICE here, but I want to get the murderers and r**ists out.”

The comment reinforced the careful line Pratt has tried to walk throughout his mayoral campaign as he leans into law-and-order messaging without fully embracing Trump's immigration agenda.

Pratt’s campaign has largely focused on local frustrations tied to homelessness, public safety and city services. One of his biggest proposals centers on building a treatment facility on federal land to house thousands of homeless people dealing with substance disorders.

The former reality TV star has also argued that his priorities have “nothing to do with national politics or who is in the White House.”

“I keep telling people it’s a nonpartisan race,” Pratt said during an interview.

Donald Trump's backing creates pressure

Trump recently fueled the controversy after publicly praising Pratt during remarks to reporters.

“I’d like to see him do well. I don’t know him. I assume he probably supports me,” Trump said. “I heard he’s a big MAGA person.”

That praise immediately gave Pratt’s opponents fresh ammunition in a city where immigration tensions have remained politically explosive after immigration agents detained people in city streets last year, triggering widespread protests.

Mayor Karen Bass quickly tied Pratt to Trump’s immigration policies, saying, “Both Trump and Pratt want ICE to invade our city and kidnap our neighbors.”

Bass also argued that neither Pratt nor his other challenger was “up to the job.”

Progressive city councilor Nithya Raman also leaned into the Trump connection, writing, “It’s no surprise Donald Trump supports his LA Apprentice and ‘Big MAGA person’ Spencer Pratt.”

Raman added, “Your vote for my campaign stops Spencer Pratt from making it to the general election.”

Political figures and analysts suggested Pratt faces a difficult challenge because he cannot appear too closely aligned with conservative Republican politics if he hopes to win over Los Angeles voters.

Even Pratt himself acknowledged he previously registered as a Republican because the party supported concealed carry permits, explaining he obtained guns after receiving death threats during his reality TV years.

Still, Pratt has continued trying to keep the focus on local frustrations over potholes, sidewalks, policing, fire services and homelessness rather than national political battles, even as Trump’s backing threatens to pull his campaign deeper into the culture-war spotlight.