CITY NEWS
OAKLAND
—After one of the most dramatic days in local political history, Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao remained radio silent following the raid by FBI agents on her home Thursday morning.
—Avoiding comment about difficult events in Oakland has been a hallmark of Thao’s administration. But remaining silent about a raid that could destroy your administration and besmirch the city is another story.
—The deafening silence on Thursday has insiders wondering if Thao’s resignation is imminent.
—The thinking goes if Thao isn’t going to defend herself, then why would anyone else? Therefore, if Thao isn’t planning to fight, she’s planning for flight.
—Two members of Thao’s inner circle—Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas and Councilmember Carroll Fife—addressed the raids in the media, but neither offered any defense of the mayor.
—Innocent or not, it’s highly unlikely that Thao can avoid a recall from office in November with images of FBI agents rummaging through her house fresh in the minds of Oakland voters.
—CALLS FOR RESIGNATION—The Oakland NAACP and a community group involved in the recalls of Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price called for Thao to resign.
—“The world watched as Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao’s home was raided by the FBI,” said Cynthia Adams, president to the Oakland NAACP.
—“While the public should refrain from a rush to judgment, the leadership of the NAACP and its members are calling on Mayor Sheng Thao to resign immediately and spare the city the cost of a recall.”
—The Coalition for Community Engagement held a rally and press conference on Thursday evening in front of Thao’s home in the Oakland Hills. The group also called for Thao to resign.
—Others used news of the FBI raid to bolster their vision for a new Oakland, while another couldn’t help but gloat.
—“This is a sad day for the City of Oakland. Oakland is a city in crisis,” said LeRonne Armstrong, the Oakland police chief that was unceremoniously fired by Thao last year, and who is now a candidate for the at-large council seat.
—“The biggest obstacle to overcoming these crises are the failures of leadership in City Hall.”
—Meanwhile, Seneca Scott, a former Oakland mayoral candidate and ferocious critic of Thao, was savage all day on Thursday. “@MayorShengThao career is OVER,” Scott posted on X. “And I ended it,”
—REARRANGING FURNITURE—A change in command at the Oakland City Council is being planned, according to city hall insiders.
—The plan, however, was hatched prior to news on Thursday that Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao’s home was raided by FBI agents.
—Under the arrangement, Councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas will step down as council president and become vice mayor. Councilmember Kevin Jenkins will be elevated to council president.
—Bas is running in the November runoff for the District 5 seat on the Alameda County Board of Supervisors. Shedding the additional duties of serving as council president will allow Bas time to better focus on the supervisorial race.
—In addition, Bas reportedly has no desire to serve as interim mayor in the event Thao is recalled from office on Nov. 5.
—Under Oakland’s charter, the council president becomes interim mayor in the event the mayor leaves office before the end of their term.
—ACTING COUNCIL PRESIDENTIAL—Despite a possible shakeup at City Hall on the horizon, Oakland Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas appears to be taking the reins from the mayor.
—Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao has issued no comment about the Juneteenth night shooting of 11 victims at Lake Merritt on Wednesday. Nor has Thao addressed the FBI raids that occurred on Thursday morning.
—Bas, though, issued a statement about both on Thursday night.
—About the Juneteenth shootings: “The city is working diligently to find and hold those accountable.”
—About the FBI raids: “I share the shock felt by many, and I call on all of us to remain focused on the important work of realizing a safe, connected, and thriving town.”
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