Criticism is mounting against Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for her absence from the city during devastating wildfires that began Tuesday night, causing widespread destruction and displacement.
Mayor Bass was in Ghana, participating in the presidential inauguration as part of the U.S. delegation, which also included a meeting with Ghana’s first female vice president. She returned to Los Angeles late Wednesday afternoon as the fires intensified.
Her absence sparked questions about her leadership, drawing attacks from political opponents who allege dereliction of duty during a city-wide emergency. Among the critics are Elon Musk, who labeled Bass “utterly incompetent” and shared posts suggesting she was a diversity hire, and Rick Caruso, the former mayoral candidate, who stated her absence hampered the emergency response. Caruso commented that the mayor appeared more focused on attending a party than addressing the crisis.
Mayor Bass defended her actions at a Wednesday evening press conference, asserting that she maintained constant communication with fire officials and key personnel while abroad. She stated, “Although I wasn’t physically here, I was in touch with many of the individuals standing here throughout the entire time,” and added she took the “fastest route back,” using a combination of military and commercial flights, emphasizing hourly communication during her travel.
“This is going to be an effort of all of us coming together, and we have to resist any effort to pull us apart,” she responded to the criticism.
The wildfires, beginning Tuesday night in the Palisades area, rapidly spread to over 17,200 acres, marking the largest the city has ever experienced. As of Thursday morning, at least five fatalities resulted from the fires, exacerbated by strong winds and dry conditions. Over 100,000 residents were under mandatory evacuation orders.
Amidst the crisis, questions arose concerning the city’s preparedness. Social media discussions, including comments by the Los Angeles Times’ owner Patrick Soon-Shiong, alleged budget cuts to the fire department. However, it was clarified Wednesday night that the fire department budget actually increased by more than $50 million year-over-year, with additional funding allocated in a separate fund during contract negotiations.
Mayor Bass, inaugurated in December 2022 as Los Angeles’ first female mayor, enjoys considerable support within the Democratic party, while facing opposition from conservatives. A former six-term congresswoman, she was a prominent figure in the 2020 presidential election, considered a potential vice presidential candidate before Kamala Harris’s selection. In 2024, she was invited to address the Democratic National Convention.