Brass expressed dissatisfaction with the optics created by the search, insisting that Thao would have willingly provided any requested information without the need for such measures.
In response to mounting pressure, Brass affirmed that Thao has no intention to resign, despite facing a recall effort. He clarified that while a search warrant was executed at her residence, she remains committed to fulfilling her duties as Oakland’s mayor, emphasizing that her legal standing remains intact with no arrests made.
“It’s unfortunate that she has had to endure the bad optics of having this search warrant executed on her home. She would have cooperated with this investigation without the need for this search,” Brass emphasized.
“She will continue to do the work Oakland expects from their mayor and provide the federal government with whatever information they are seeking.”
Brass says the mayor, facing a recall, has no plans to resign.
He added: “The mayor of Oakland has not been arrested. There’s a search warrant that was executed on an address. What that was for and why that was done does not take away from her ability or her capacity to be the mayor of Oakland.”
