California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have faced sharp criticism from their opponents and some residents over their preparations for and handling of the devastating wildfires gripping the state.
Corruption is ingrained in Los Angeles,” said Jamie Court, president of Consumer Watchdog, a non-profit public interest group.
L.A. Fire chief Kristin Crowley pointed the finger at Mayor Karen Bass and budget cuts to the L.A. Fire Department. And she’s not alone. But, what’s the reality? And is this a matter of politics or a matter of math?
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is facing backlash as wildfires continue to burn across Southern California. But why is she facing political heat?
California voters have had the power to recall elected officials. It was meant for a time like this, when “indolent” and incompetent leaders are failing. The recall allowed citizens to quickly remove an officeholder and vote in a replacement at the same time.
But what about Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass? Disasters offer unexpected leadership tests. Quite frankly, she’s failed it in a spectacular way. Her bewildering response may put an end to her political career,
"The Young Turks" host Cenk Uygur declared Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass a "goner" after being on vacation as wildfires started. If you don't know, Karen Bass is a Ghana-er. Gone, no chance of re-election.
Bass is not the only person to be widely criticized for their response to the California wildfires, with Governor Gavin Newsom also in the spotlight.
Photos shared on social media show Bass at a U.S. Embassy reception in Accra shortly before Los Angeles evacuation orders.
Gavin Newsom, Karen Bass, and the 2028 Summer Olympics: All three, to different degrees, have been imperiled by the deadly wildfires still tearing through Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles Times’ billionaire owner, Patrick Soon-Shiong, declared on X that “the Mayor cut LA Fire Department’s budget by $23M.” The right-wing social media account Libs of TikTok lambasted a political leadership team that “defunds the fire dept,” and Elon Musk boosted a post that lamented “LAFD underfunding.”