Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass was left stunned after being asked to apologize to residents for cutting millions from the fire department’s budget.
Bass came under heavy criticism from Los Angelinos after she was absent from a trip to Ghana when wildfires broke out in the city on Tuesday evening, despite warnings from meteorologists that a ‘recipe for fire’ was brewing to hit LA.
Since then, a litany of failures by LA city officials have also come to light, with fire hydrants found without water and electricity to power lines left to fuel the flames, which have killed five people so far.
By the thousands Forced to flee some of the city’s poshest enclaves as homes and businesses burned to the ground, Bass was Sky News reporter: “Do you owe the citizens an apology for being absent while their houses were burning?”
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?’
Despite the questions, Bass remained completely silent for almost a minute before walking away from the interviewer.
It comes at a time when Dr. Pat Soon-Shiong, owner of the Los Angeles Times, blamed the mayor for cutting the LA Fire Department’s budget and reminded followers how “competence matters.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass refused to apologize to distraught residents for slashing fire department budget by millions
Fire engulfs a structure as the Palisades Fire burns during a storm on the west side of Los Angeles on January 7
Since the fires began, a litany of failures by LA city officials have been exposed, involving fire hydrants not being filled with water
Gavin Newsom appears close to tears as he condemns Trump for blaming him for the LA wildfires
He said in a tweet: “Our thoughts go out to those who have lost their homes and are seeking shelter. Fires in LA are unfortunately no surprise, yet the mayor has cut the LA Fire Department budget by $23 million.
‘And reports of empty fire hydrants raise serious questions. Competence is important…’
For the 2023-2024 year, Los Angeles budgeted $837 million for the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), which was only 65% of the size of its $1.3 billion homeless budget. Fox Business reports.
For the 2024-2025 budgets, the LAFD budget was subsequently reduced by more than $17 million, from $837 million to $819 million.
The $23 million Soon-Shiong referred to was Bass’ original budget proposal.
Governor Gavin Newsom also showed emotion in an interview when asked whether Donald Trump was placing blame on California’s governor for the disastrous, deadly wildfires that have ravaged the state.
Trump said the governor, whom he called “Gavin Newscum,” a favorite among Republicans’ pet names, was to blame for the disaster.
The president-elect blasted Newsom in a Truth Social post Wednesday for focusing on environmental priorities like “crappy fish” over those of Golden State residents.
Mayor Karen Bass (pictured right in Ghana this week) flew out to attend the West African country’s presidential inauguration on Tuesday, after meteorologists warned that a “recipe for fire” was coming to Los Angeles. meet
Mayor Karen Bass flew out to attend the West African country’s presidential inauguration on Tuesday after meteorologists warned a “recipe for fire” was brewing to hit LA. (Photo: Bass in Ghana this week)
The California wildfires seen from a plane landing at Los Angeles International Airport
A firefighting helicopter drops water as the Sunset Fire burns in the Hollywood Hills
During a conversation with Anderson Cooper during the Los Angeles fires Wednesday, Newsom was visibly hurt by the criticism.
‘People are literally fleeing. People have lost their lives. Children lost their schools, families were completely torn apart, churches burned down, he said.”
Newsom avoided commenting further on Trump: “I have a lot of thoughts and I know what I want to say… I don’t.”
He then railed against Trump for trying to “politicize” the disaster, while contrasting him with Joe Biden.
Following the outbreak of wildfires, Bass has posted regular updates to her X account thanking LAPD firefighters for tackling the ongoing blaze while sharing information about emergency shelters.
However, residents have criticized officials for failing to cut electricity to power lines as shocking footage shows how live cables have sparked fires.
Local people have also criticized Los Angeles County for allegedly refusing to refill reservoirs, meaning fire hydrants in some areas went dry and firefighters stumbled in their efforts to extinguish the flames.
Businessman and mayoral candidate Rick Caruso blasted local officials for failing to replenish water supplies despite knowing strong winds were coming that could spark wildfires.
Businessman and former Republican Party mayoral candidate Rick Caruso blasted LA officials for failing to refill the city’s water supplies, leading to fire hydrant shortages
Shocking images from the Pacific Palisades this week show sparks shooting in all directions as power lines fall amid smoke-filled winds amid out-of-control wildfires in California
‘Their hands are tied. They cannot extinguish a fire without water and the resources needed to do so. Everyone knew these winds were coming,” Caruso said Fox 11.
‘The other question must be: were all the things in place to limit the damage here?
‘The real problem here for me is twofold. We’ve had decades to clear the brush in these hills that’s spreading so quickly, and the second is: we need water.
“It is my understanding that the reservoir was not refilled in a timely manner to keep the hydrants running… these are basic issues, this is not high science here.
“It’s all about leadership and management that we see a failure in, and all these residents are paying the ultimate price for that.”
Residents have criticized officials for failing to cut electricity to power lines as shocking footage shows how live cables have sparked fires.
Local people have also criticized Los Angeles County for allegedly refusing to refill reservoirs, meaning fire hydrants in some areas went dry and firefighters stumbled in their efforts to extinguish the flames.