LA Councilwoman’s Crosswalk Project Becomes Target of Conservative Criticism Over Timeline and Scope

Los Angeles Councilmember Nithya Raman, a Democratic Socialists of America member, drew widespread online criticism after announcing the completion of a neighborhood crosswalk improvement project in a social media post. The announcement, which featured before-and-after photographs and praised her field team’s efforts to enhance street safety, quickly became the subject of derision from prominent conservative figures and commentators across multiple platforms.

Richard Grenell, serving as Presidential Envoy for Special Missions under Donald Trump’s administration, was among the first to respond critically, questioning the project’s scope and the extended timeline required for completion. Grenell’s remarks focused on what he characterized as minimal work—painting over existing cracks—that required approximately one year to finish, suggesting the accomplishment fell far short of meaningful infrastructure improvements.

Reality television personality and former mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt joined the criticism, sarcastically questioning how a nine-month effort to paint seven yellow stripes warranted public celebration. Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro similarly weighed in, characterizing eight months spent painting yellow lines as an inadequate basis for touting major infrastructure progress and suggesting the project should not serve as a qualification for higher office.

Manhattan Institute scholar Chris Rufo added to the mockery through comparative commentary, while Fox News Digital said it sought responses from both Raman’s office and Pratt but received no replies prior to publication. Raman’s announcement indicated the Los Feliz Neighborhood Council had initially raised the crosswalk concern in late 2025, though details regarding project costs, start dates, responsible city departments, and safety measures beyond the painted markings remained unspecified.