Embattled LA Mayor Karen Bass was enjoying a cocktail party at the US Embassy in Ghana just as the devastating Palisades wildfire broke out, according to deleted social media posts.
The Democrat, who has come under intense scrutiny for her response to the fires that have killed at least 24 people and burned more than 12,000 buildings, was seen at the party with other dignitaries on January 7.
According to a deputy’s watch visible in the photos, Bass posed just before 8 p.m. Ghana time, or just before noon in Los Angeles.
The first evacuation orders for the Palisades Fire were issued minutes later, with officials placing the first ignition time at 10:30 a.m.
She led a delegation in the African country sent by President Biden for the inauguration of John Mahama as the new president of Ghana.
At the cocktail party after the presidential inauguration, Bass was seen chatting with ambassadors and smiling for selfies, which was also attended by King Tackie Tieki Truru II of the Ga Traditional Area in southern Ghana.
By the time she left the party for her flight home, huge plumes of smoke had already blanketed large parts of Los Angeles, reports the LA times.
Footage of the event was shared on social media by Marissa Bowman, an employee in Bass’ office who was not part of the official White House delegation.
Bass left for Ghana after the National Weather Service issued warnings about conditions that ultimately resulted in historic fire outbreaks.
She was subsequently condemned for cutting the city’s fire department by millions of dollars before refusing to apologize to residents.
Embattled LA Mayor Karen Bass was enjoying a cocktail party at the US Embassy in Ghana last week when the devastating fires began in her city
Bass led a delegation in the African country sent by President Biden for the inauguration of John Mahama as Ghana’s new president, with the images taken during a cocktail party after the presidential inauguration
The mayor is under scrutiny for her response to the fires that have killed at least 24 people and burned more than 12,000 buildings
Bass flew to Ghana to attend Mahama’s inauguration on Jan. 4, the same day the National Weather Service stepped up warnings about storms hitting Los Angeles.
A spokesperson for the mayor told the LA Times that Bass attended the cocktail party because it was hosted by the U.S. ambassador to Ghana, but she spent most of the party in a separate room taking phone calls, they said.
The delegation then left the party and arrived on a military plane at 11 a.m. on January 8, more than 24 hours after the fires started.
In a statement from Bass spokesman Zach Seidl, the mayor’s office said: “The presidential delegation was met by the United States Ambassador to Ghana en route to the plane.
“Most of the time the mayor was in another room on calls from LA.”
When Bass was questioned by reporters upon her return, she later claimed at a press conference that “although I was not physically here, I was in contact with many of the people standing here the entire time.”
Bass attended the party after warnings about the fires began, with a spokesperson for her office saying the mayor was “in another room on calls from LA.”
Since the crisis began, a litany of failures by LA city officials have been exposed, as fire hydrants were found without water and power lines were left on to fan the flames.
Firefighters watch as water is dropped on the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon on Saturday, January 11, 2025
Ghanaian host Nathaniael Attoh, one of the attendees seen in a selfie with Bass, told the LA Times that the cocktail party was a low-key event held to introduce the White House delegation to high-profile Ghanaians.
He said several speakers addressed the party, including religious leaders, businessmen, athletes and diplomats.
Bass quickly faced criticism after returning to the United States, when city officials condemned her for cutting the Los Angeles Fire Department’s budget by more than $17 million in her last budget.
Since then, a litany of failures by LA city officials have also come to light, with fire hydrants found without water and power lines left on to fan the flames.
On her return to the airport, Bass suffered a humiliating moment when she was left in stunned silence as she was peppered with questions from a Sky News reporter.
“Do you owe the citizens an apology for being absent while their houses were burning?” they asked.
As the mayor stood stony-faced, the reporter continued, “Do you regret cutting the fire department’s budget by millions of dollars, Madam Mayor? Have you nothing to say today?’
Still without getting any answer, the reporter asked again, “Do you have absolutely nothing to say to the citizens today?” Elon Musk says you are completely incompetent. Are you reconsidering your position?’
Both Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom have faced intense criticism for their response to the fires, as some residents call for them to be removed from office.
A Change.org petition demanding Bass’ resignation has gathered more than 140,000 signatures, “due to her gross mismanagement and failure to effectively respond to the devastating fires of 2025 in and around the City of Los Angeles.”
The issue of Bass’ resignation has been fueled in recent days, with California Governor Gavin Newsom also facing calls to step aside over the state’s apparent lack of preparedness.
A Change.org petition The demand for Bass’ resignation has attracted more than 140,000 signatures, “due to her gross mismanagement and failure to effectively respond to the devastating fires of 2025 in and around the city of Los Angeles.”
“Despite the tireless efforts of our first responders, the city has been woefully unprepared to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents. Basic services, such as water and emergency services, have been inadequate, and leadership is nowhere to be found when it is needed most,” the fundraiser said.
To recall Bass, advocates must collect signatures from at least 15% of the city’s registered voters.
Newsom previously survived a recall in 2021, but his handling of the crisis has also led to renewed efforts to remove him from office and a formal recall initiative against him was launched this week.
Randy Economy, who is leading the recall effort against Newsom — who is term-limited in 2027 — told Newsweek he was offended by Newsom’s call to “rebuild” the Pacific Palisades.
‘How dare he? It’s down to the 10,000, 15,000 homes that have been destroyed,” he said. ‘It’s up to the people.
“This is emblematic of who he is as a leader, and I think this is emblematic of who he is as a politician, and he has no depth.
“So that’s why we’re taking the extraordinary steps to officially recall him.”
This week, former U.S. Attorney Michael Valentine shared footage of the Palisades fire outbreak showing fire trucks taking more than 45 minutes to respond, arguing that the fire “could have been contained with better funding.” .
“I think Mayor Bass bears ultimate responsibility for this failure, and I think she should be held accountable,” Valentine told NewsNation. “There is no way I could trust her as my mayor again in light of this tragedy.”