‘Acts of terrorism': Oakland Mayor Schaaf criticizes Trump's immigration policies

OAKLAND, Calif. (KTVU) - Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf joined KTVU for an interview on Monday morning. During a discussion about President Donald Trump's recent threats of since cancelled mass deportation raids against illegal immigrants throughout the U.S., including Oakland, she said the following: 

"I don't want these acts of terrorism to paralyze our families."

WATCH: Oakland Mayor Schaaf responds to federal immigration crackdown 

"You believe what the president is doing is an act of terrorism?" KTVU anchor Gasia Mikaelian asked. "I believe what he is doing is terrorizing our families," said Schaaf.

It was that choice of words by Schaaf that prompted many KTVU viewers to sound off.

Some viewers objected to Schaaf's using language more commonly connected to Al- Qaeda or ISIS.

One viewer e-mailed: "I view what the mayor said as equivalent to burning the flag. She stepped way over the line this morning."

Others left angry voice messages.

Schaaf's comments are part of a history she has with President Trump. When threats of impending ICE raids of illegal immigrants in Oakland by the White House surfaced last year, Schaaf sounded a warning to those who might have been affected.

President Trump then publicly accused Schaaf of interfering with law enforcement and threatened to have her arrested

After Schaaf's morning appearance we asked her if her words about terrorism went too far.

"I do not apologize for saying this president uses terror as a weapon to scare people," Schaaf responded.

But is this the best way to raise political concerns?

"She [Schaaf] has to elevate the discourse and rise above and act as a leader. She can partner with other California leaders. That is where you can move away from divisive language and discourse," said Sonoma State University political science Professor David McCuan.