Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has rebuffed calls to resign following criticism of her response to devastating wildfires. At a press conference, she emphasized the need to save lives and homes before evaluating the situation. Many residents are outraged that she traveled to Ghana during the crisis despite severe weather warnings. Upon her return, she faced tough questioning from reporters but avoided direct answers. Meanwhile, celebrities criticized the city’s infrastructure and budget cuts to the fire department. The fires have destroyed over 1,000 structures and claimed five lives, with many residents, including celebrities, anxiously awaiting news about their homes.
Embattled Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has rejected calls to resign over her handling of the devastating wildfires.
At a press conference she said:We have to save lives, we have to save lives, and we have to save homes.
“Once that’s done, once it’s safe, we’ll definitely evaluate what worked and what didn’t work.”
Furious residents have accused a bus of traveling to Ghana while the city was on fire, despite warnings of “severe” weather conditions issued days earlier.
She addressed the backlash on Thursday and sought to quell growing anger over international travel.
Asked whether her leadership had been effective, she said: “I just said what I think is the most important thing we need to do right now.” That will continue to be my focus. ”
Ms Basu flew out of the country on Tuesday to attend the West African country’s presidential inauguration, after meteorologists warned that a “recipe for fire” was underway to hit Los Angeles.
The mayor attended the inauguration of the new president and met with the country’s first female vice president.
California Governor Gavin Newsom and Bass tour the Pacific Palisades downtown business district Wednesday
People hug as they return home after Los Angeles area wildfires burn down their homes
Returning to the Golden State on Wednesday, she was cornered by Sky News journalist David Blevins and refused to answer questions.
Bass quickly turned away, saying he had no intention of answering any questions.
Ms. Blevins then asked her a series of questions, but she did not answer and looked aimlessly at the ground.
He says, “Do I owe the public an apology for being absent while my house was on fire?”
“Mrs. Mayor, do you regret cutting the fire department by millions of dollars?” Don’t you have nothing to say today? ”
Bass tried to cut the Los Angeles Fire Department’s budget by about $23 million in 2024, but settled for a $17.6 million cut.
“Elon Musk says you are totally incompetent, but have you considered your position?” Have you nothing to say to the public dealing with this disaster? Don’t they have an apology? ”
“Do you think I should have visited Ghana while this was happening in my home country?”
Blevins then chased the bus down the airport hallway and demanded that city residents make a statement. She ignored him and walked out onto the tarmac.
Firefighters battle the Eaton Fire in high winds as many homes burn in Pasadena on January 7, 2025.
Bass tried to cut the Los Angeles Fire Department’s budget by about $23 million in 2024, but settled for a $17.6 million cut.
On Wednesday, she stumbled through a press conference and made another gaffe.
She looked perplexed as she read her notes and said: “Emergency information, resources, and shelter are available.” All of this can be found at the URL.
A number of celebrities have taken to social media accounts to criticize Bass and the city over its response to the fire.
“The city of LA wants everyone to evacuate, but there’s total traffic gridlock and not a single traffic cop on the streets,” Sarah Michelle Gellar said on her Instagram.
“We pay the highest taxes in California, and our fire hydrant was empty,” actress Sarah Foster said.
“Our plants were overgrown and the brush was not mowed. Our reservoirs were emptied by the governor because tribal leaders wanted to save the fish.
Our fire department’s budget has been cut by the mayor. But thankfully, drug addicts have access to drug kits. resign. Your far left policies have destroyed our nation. And our party too. ”
Former Dancing with the Stars professional dancer Valentin Chmerkovskiy also expressed his displeasure on social media.
Remains of burnt houses seen in Pacific Palisades area
The flames destroyed more than 1,000 structures and devoured famous landmarks in its path.
A fire helicopter sprays water as the Sunset Fire burns in the Hollywood Hills, where evacuation orders were issued on January 8, 2025.
“Fifth largest economy on earth. Firefighters didn’t have enough water pressure to do their job?! Are you kidding me? You can’t believe the taxes we pay for third world infrastructure. I can’t do it?! Come on.
Actor James Woods also slammed the mayor, blaming her and California Governor Gavin Newsom for the fires.
“These fires are not due to ‘climate change,’ you ignorant bastards. It’s because liberal idiots like you elect liberal idiots like Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass.
“One side does not understand fire protection management in the first place, and the other cannot fill the reservoir,” he wrote.
The historic death toll now stands at five, with heroic firefighters still battling hellish conditions on the front lines of at least five different fires.
Officials have warned that they expect this number to rise further as the fight against the inferno continues.
The fire tore through the area, turning what was supposed to be a picturesque neighborhood into a smoldering one.
Driven by strong winds, the flames destroyed more than 1,000 structures and destroyed famous landmarks in its path.
The homes of Anthony Hopkins, John Goodman and Miles Teller have also been destroyed, and dozens of other stars are now waiting anxiously with their neighbors to find out if anything can be salvaged. situation.
Mandy Moore, Cary Elwes, Paris Hilton, James Woods, and Billy Crystal and his wife Janice all claimed to have seen their homes engulfed in smoke during the Palisades fire.
Los Angeles Fire Chief Christine Crowley believes the fire started accidentally in a backyard around 10 a.m. Tuesday morning.
She told reporters that the fires are “spreading faster than we’ve ever seen before…The current situation is unlike anything we’ve ever seen before.” spoke.
