Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass Faces Criticism for Absence During Wildfires
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is under fire for her perceived absence and leadership during the raging wildfires that have forced the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of residents in Los Angeles County. Upon her return from a trip to Ghana on Wednesday, Bass declined to address reporters' questions about her absence or recent budget cuts to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).
"Do you owe citizens an apology for being absent while their homes were burning? And do you regret cutting the Fire Department budget by millions of dollars, Madame Mayor?" asked Sky News reporter David Blevins as Bass disembarked from her flight.
Bass, expressionless and silent, ignored the repeated questions, looking at the ground while walking past the press.
Mayor Defends Her Actions
During a late-afternoon press conference in Los Angeles, Bass defended her actions, stating that she took the "fastest route back" using a military plane to expedite her return and maintain communication.
"I took the fastest route back, which included being on a military plane, which facilitated our communications," Bass said. She acknowledged being thousands of miles away when the fires began but emphasized that she remained in contact throughout the flight.
"We are fighting for you and everyone in Los Angeles," Bass said, reading from prepared remarks.
Criticism Over Budget Cuts
Bass’s leadership has come under intense scrutiny as critics point to significant budget cuts she made to the LAFD in favor of addressing homelessness. For the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the LAFD’s budget was set at $837 million, approximately 65% of the city’s $1.3 billion homeless budget.
The fire department's budget was further reduced by $17.5 million for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, decreasing from $837 million to $819.6 million. Critics argue that these reductions left the LAFD under-resourced as it battles multiple large-scale wildfires across the region.
Public Missteps
During her press conference, Bass appeared flustered while referencing emergency resources, mistakenly saying: "Emergency information, resources and shelter is available. All of this can be found at URL."
This moment added to the criticism, with many questioning her preparedness and focus during this crisis.
Wildfire Update
The wildfires continue to wreak havoc across Los Angeles County, with the Eaton Fire alone claiming five lives as of Wednesday, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. Evacuation orders remain in effect for numerous areas as firefighters work to contain the blazes.
Bass’s office has yet to respond to requests for additional comments.
Let me know if you’d like any further adjustments!
Post a Comment