“The City of L.A. has a history of corruption and self-dealing, and this allows a platform for those deals to be facilitated without fear that anyone will find the evidence, because the chats are deleted within 24 hours,” said Jamie T. Hall, an attorney representing the Crane Boulevard Safety Coalition.

But he maintains the area is much safer and Somalis can now "cast their fishing nets without fear" - as does the Puntland Maritime Police Force, which works closely with the EU naval mission.

“It is our collective responsibility to ensure transgender persons can live full lives, without fear of harm,” Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said just last month.

"I thank President Biden for entrusting me with this incredible responsibility. The SEC has met our mission and enforced the law without fear or favor," Mr Gensler wrote on the social media platform X.

A BBC spokesperson said: "We stand by our journalism and we will continue to report on the region without fear or favour."