Staff Reports
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is facing a firestorm of criticism—both literal and figurative—after she decided to travel to Ghana during one of the most destructive wildfire events in the city’s history. The January 2025 wildfires, fueled by hurricane-force Santa Ana winds, scorched over 57,000 acres, destroyed more than 17,000 structures and claimed at least 29 lives. While Bass has admitted her trip was a mistake, her absence during such a critical time has raised serious questions about her leadership and priorities.
Bass’s departure for Ghana on January 4 coincided with escalating warnings from the National Weather Service about “extreme fire weather conditions.” Despite these alerts, Bass chose to attend the inauguration of Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama as part of a U.S. delegation. Critics have pointed out that while she declared a state of emergency remotely, she remained in Ghana for an additional day after the fires began on January 7. By the time she returned to Los Angeles on January 8, the damage was already catastrophic. Her delayed response and subsequent attempts to deflect blame have only fueled public outrage.
Adding to the controversy is Bass’s decision to cut $17.5 million from the Los Angeles Fire Department’s budget last year—a move that critics argue left the city ill-prepared for such a disaster. During her campaign, Bass promised not to travel abroad while in office, yet this trip marked at least her fourth international excursion since taking office in December 2022. Her absence during the crisis has been likened to other high-profile political missteps, with some commentators dubbing her “the Nero of American politics,” fiddling abroad while Los Angeles burned.
To shift blame, Bass has pointed fingers at former Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, whom she recently fired. Bass accused Crowley of failing to adequately warn her about the looming wildfire danger and claimed that 1,000 firefighters who could have been deployed were instead sent home under Crowley’s watch. However, fire department officials have disputed these claims, stating that multiple warnings were issued and standard preparation protocols were followed. This finger-pointing has done little to restore public confidence and has instead highlighted a lack of accountability within City Hall.
The political fallout from this debacle is far from over. Recall efforts against Bass are reportedly gaining traction as residents express frustration over her leadership during the crisis. Her approval ratings have plummeted, and many Angelenos are questioning whether she is fit to lead the city through future emergencies. For conservatives and critics alike, this episode serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of prioritizing political optics over effective governance. As Los Angeles begins its long road to recovery, the need for competent and accountable leadership has never been more apparent.
