Mayor of crime-ridden Oakland will face upcoming recall vote — and FBI raids home



Sheng Thao, the Democratic mayor of crime-ridden Oakland, California, will face a recall election in November after a group of fed-up residents successfullygathered enough signatures.

The recall campaign, Oakland United to Recall Sheng Thao, submitted more than 40,000 signatures several weeks ahead of its July 22 deadline. To get on the upcoming ballot, the group only needed to secure 25,000 verified signatures.

'You created a public safety crisis.'

Superior Court Judge Brenda Harbin-Forte, who spearheaded the effort, toldKTVU, "This historic achievement marks the first recall in Oakland's history, with Oakland voters signing with a sense of urgency and purpose to recall this dishonest and incompetent mayor."

"Thao's actions have pushed Oakland to the brink, but the community is saying, 'NO MORE. We want Thao gone,'" Harbin-Forte stated.

According to the recall effortswebsite, the group is moving to remove Thao from office for missing a retail theft grant and firing former Oakland Police Department chief LeRonne Armstrong, among many other reasons. The area has struggled with a severe uptick in crime that has prompted a number of businesses to close down.

"You created a public safety crisis by systematically dismantling the Oakland Police Department, leading to the city's reputation as one of the most dangerous in America," the recall effort stated about Thao. "Your unjust termination of Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong resulted in a surge of serious and violent crimes, delayed OPD's exit from 20 years of federal oversight, and extended the time Oakland must continue paying a federal monitor $1 million each year. You admittedly missed a deadline to apply for a grant to combat retail theft. You failed to implement Oakland's Encampment Management Policy, leading to open-air drug markets and chop shops, making Oakland a national leader in stolen cars. You have made numerous misleading and untrue statements to the public. You failed to keep your promise to appoint a new police chief or declare a state of emergency. In short, you lack the competency, credibility, judgment and ability to lead what was once a great American city."

KNTV reported that the FBI raided a home owned by Thao on Thursday morning. While the reason for the raid has not yet been revealed, the outlet stated that the mayor's office is aware of the FBI's actions and deferred all questions to the bureau.

In a statement, the FBI said that it is "conducting court authorized law enforcement activity on Maiden Lane. We are unable to provide additional information at this time."

Thao was scheduled to attend an event on Thursday morning but canceled.

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Retired judge leads recall effort to oust Oakland mayor who 'ruined our city,' citing rampant crime and shuttered businesses



A retired Oakland, California, judge told KTVU on Saturday that the mayor, Sheng Thao (D), has "ruined our city."

Alameda Superior Court Judge Brenda Harbin-Forte is spearheading a recall effort to oust Thao over claims the mayor has "caused a number of problems."

"She didn't inherit all these problems," Harbin-Forte told KTVU. "People who say give her more time. More time to do what? She has ruined our city."

Thao removed Harbin-Forte from the Oakland Police Commission last year. The retired judge called her removal a "badge of honor."

Victory Baptist Church Pastor Marty Jenkins expressed his frustration with the mayor during a recall rally over the weekend.

"Look at the potholes. Look at homelessness. Look at the jobs. Look at the businesses that are leaving Oakland," he stated.

Edward Escobar of Citizens Unite told the rally attendees, "We are not getting the services we deserve throughout, and the crime is spreading."

Tuan Ngo of Asians Unite remarked, "She either resigns or gets recalled because she's not doing her job, and we see the consequences for her failure every day."

The recall effort must collect at least 25,000 signatures from registered voters by July to get on the ballot. According to Seneca Scott, the recall's organizer, the campaign should reach the minimum number of signatures months before the deadline.

"Twelve-thousand five-hundred people plus who have signed already to recall Mayor Sheng Thao," Scott said. The recall petition is only three weeks into the signature gathering.

Taco Bell recently announced that it would no longer offer indoor dining at its Oakland locations, citing an uptick in crime. Scott responded to the news in a recent post on X, writing, "Oakland is ground zero for 'progressive' policies that intentionally fail the working class. It's all part of their sick, twisted plan. Oakland neighbors have awaken [sic] and we are now fighting against these bad actors."

The area's crime wave has also pushed many other businesses to announce closures, including Denny's, In-N-Out, Black Bear Diner, Subway, and Starbucks. Some business owners recently declared that they would refuse to pay taxes if the city continues to ignore the uptick in criminal activity.

Thao told KTVU, "My focus is fighting for a safer, more affordable and more prosperous Oakland. I ask Oaklanders to help me achieve that vision with hope and collaboration and push aside fear and division. Let's bring our community together to fight for the city we love."

Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price, known for her progressive, soft-on-crime policies, is also facing a recall effort launched by fed-up Oakland residents. The campaign submitted signatures for verification earlier this month.


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