Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has declined to respond to inquiries about her whereabouts as wildfires swept through her city, sparking criticism and raising questions about her leadership. Upon returning from a trip to Ghana, Bass was met by Sky News reporter David Blevins, who questioned her initial absence during the crisis and previous decisions to reduce the fire department's budget. Bass remained silent, ignoring Blevins' repeated attempts to elicit a response.
During a later press conference, Bass stated she returned via military aircraft, allowing her to stay connected during the flight. She maintained she was "fighting for everyone in Los Angeles," but appeared to struggle with her prepared statement, at one point referencing a non-existent URL for emergency resources.
Critics have linked the severity of the fires to budget cuts Bass implemented, diverting funds towards initiatives for the city's homeless population. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year saw a decrease of over $17 million compared to the previous year, while the homeless budget stands significantly higher. This discrepancy has fueled public concern and intensified scrutiny of Bass' leadership during the ongoing crisis.
As wildfires continue to burn across Los Angeles County, forcing evacuations and resulting in fatalities, the mayor's response and budgetary decisions are under intense public examination.
