Staff Reports
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is doing her best impersonation of a magician, attempting to make the blame for the catastrophic wildfires disappear while she tries to distract everyone with tales of her trip to Ghana. In a recent interview, Bass found herself in hot water for leaving her city and its residents to fend for themselves when they needed leadership the most. Her departure was a poorly timed excursion to attend the inauguration of Ghana’s new president, all on behalf of none other than President Joe Biden. Talk about a vacation of epic proportions, typical of elite politicos disconnected from the struggles of their constituents.
During her chat with KTTV anchor Elex Michaelson, Bass appeared to navigate her accountability with all the grace of a shipwrecked sailor. While she expressed curiosity over why she had been allowed to go to Africa ahead of a wildfire crisis, one can’t help but wonder if it’s time for some introspection. The question remains: what exactly was her thought process in choosing to jet off to another continent when her city was under threat? The fact that she seemed oblivious to the warnings about impending wildfires raises serious concerns about her suitability to lead.
Despite a brief context of her trip, which conveniently played up her connection to the Biden administration, Bass tried to deflect the responsibility for her absence. She floundered in her explanation about the lack of preparation for the disaster, making it sound as if someone might have swapped her disaster management training manual for a pop-up book. Confessing to not being fully aware of the serious conditions at home, she ultimately implied that her lack of awareness should absolve her of any blame regarding the disastrous timing of her trip.
In a masterclass of evasion, Bass spoke vaguely about the need for an investigation into the preparation for the wildfires, implying that it wasn’t really her fault that she chose to travel during a crisis. Rather than stepping up, she redirected the focus elsewhere, hinting at communication failures that supposedly left her in the dark. However, her public relations strategy is about as convincing as a wet paper bag in a rainstorm. Great leaders embrace accountability, and instead of rallying her team and showing some leadership, it seems Bass believes ownership is only necessary when one is on the ground at home – or when it’s politically expedient.
Karen Bass: We Need to Investigate Why I Didn't Know I Shouldn't Go to Ghana Before Wildfire Disaster: It’s truly remarkable that at this point Bass is still in office. https://t.co/268QhTAuco pic.twitter.com/DhqO6qB7CE
— The Western Journal (@WestJournalism) February 20, 2025
The clip from this interview serves up a blend of tragedy and comedy that could fill a season of a reality show dedicated to political blunders. It’s a jarring reminder of California’s vulnerability under the leadership of inept officials. A sincere apology for her decision to be absent during such critical moments with a promise to improve would be refreshing, but that seems far too bold for the likes of Bass. She went through all the motions of expressing remorse, but the reality is that her lack of ownership is inconceivable for anyone seeking effective leadership.
Californians deserve a leader who does not shy away from the tough calls and takes full responsibility, rather than pawning off accountability onto others. Mayor Bass’s performance during this crisis has illuminated the dire need for accountability in office; it’s both a sad commentary on California governance and a source of laughter for those watching from outside its borders.
