SAN DIEGO — San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria sat down with CBS 8 to address mounting criticism he has faced in recent weeks, tackling contentious issues including the city’s policy on federal immigration enforcement and the controversial paid parking program at Balboa Park.
The 12-minute interview, conducted by CBS 8’s Neda Iranpour and Eric Kahnert on CBS 8 Mornings, comes as the mayor faces heightened scrutiny from residents and advocacy groups over multiple policy decisions.
ICE Policy Under Fire
The timing of Gloria’s interview follows a protest on Friday at his office, where demonstrators barricaded themselves in the lobby, demanding clarity on how local law enforcement coordinates with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Six protesters were arrested for trespassing, with additional vandalism charges pending. Those arrested are no longer in custody, according to the San Diego Police.
During the interview, Gloria defended the city’s ICE policy, stating: “Subsequent to the President’s resuming of office, back in January, we started working directly with local immigration advocates, people who do this work daily, to inform an executive order that issued last July, the San Diego police department will not assist ICE. That’s state law. That is my executive order. The City Council passed an additional ordinance to back up all this. The point is, our position is very clear. Anyone who suggests otherwise is not being truthful,” said Gloria…