Karen Bass Fires Fire Chief for Exposing City’s Emergency Failures [WATCH]

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass wasted no time showing the door to LAFD Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, whose biggest offense seemed to be telling the truth about the city’s failures during January’s devastating wildfires.

The decision, announced Friday, comes just months after Crowley openly criticized the mayor and other Democrat-led city officials for their gross mismanagement and budget cuts that left Los Angeles residents vulnerable in a time of crisis, as reported by Fox News.

Firefighters attempt to extinguish a fire in a home along the Pacific Coast Highway in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood on Jan. 8, 2025. A wildfire broke out in Los Angeles County on Jan. 7, which has destroyed more than 1,000 homes, businesses and other structures, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said at a briefing Wednesday.

Crowley’s blunt assessment pointed the finger at staffing shortages, a problem she had repeatedly warned about for years.

We all remember the real reason why Mayor Bass decided to fire Chief Crowley. Let’s not be fooled. At least Crowley had the courage to admit there was a problem. Watch the interview that made @MayorOfLA furious and see @RickCarusoLA accurate take on the lack of accountability -… https://t.co/vxo7NGMeDj pic.twitter.com/F2rBJQpjQE

— Stephanie🕊 (@stephsvox) February 21, 2025

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The chief noted that these shortages severely impacted the fire department’s ability to respond effectively when wildfires began ripping through the city.

“Any budget cut is going to impact our ability to provide service. That is a ground truth in regard to our ability. If there’s a budget cut, we had to pull from somewhere else. What does that mean? That doesn’t get done or that there are delays.”

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Crowley had even sent multiple memos detailing the fire department’s dire needs, but apparently, those warnings fell on deaf ears. When the fires came, Los Angeles residents saw firsthand the consequences of an underfunded and understaffed fire department.

Rather than take responsibility, Bass opted for the classic Democrat strategy—scapegoating.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass speaks at a press conference on Nov. 14, 2023, after a fire under Interstate 10 severely damaged the overpass in an industrial zone near downtown Los Angeles, Saturday on Nov. 11, 2023. The large blaze burned trailers, cars and other things in storage lots beneath a major highway near downtown Los Angeles, forcing the temporary closure of the roadway. It was announced at the press conference that repairs would take 3-5 weeks.

In a statement attempting to justify her decision, Bass claimed:

“Acting in the best interests of Los Angeles’ public safety, and for the operations of the Los Angeles Fire Department, I have removed Kristin Crowley as Fire Chief.”

Bass further alleged that 1,000 firefighters who could have been on duty when the fires erupted were instead sent home under Crowley’s leadership. If that’s the case, it begs the question—who set up the policies that made such staffing decisions inevitable?

The mayor also accused Crowley of refusing to conduct an after-action report on the fires, a claim that conveniently shifts attention away from the failed leadership of City Hall.

“Bringing new leadership to the fire department is what our city needs,” Bass insisted, while simultaneously announcing a national search for a new fire chief. In other words, expect more bureaucratic shuffling while the real issues remain unaddressed.

Jul 27, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Rep. Karen Bass, (D-CA), speaks on stage while standing with fellow Democrats during the 2016 Democratic National Convention at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY NETWORK

Republican businessman Rick Caruso, who ran against Bass in the last mayoral race, didn’t hold back in calling out the move.

“It is very disappointing that Mayor Bass has decided to fire Chief Kristin Crowley,” Caruso posted on X.

It is very disappointing that Mayor Bass has decided to fire Chief Kristin Crowley. Chief Crowley served Los Angeles well and spoke honestly about the severe and profoundly ill-conceived budget cuts the Bass administration made to the LAFD. That courage to speak the truth was…

— Rick J. Caruso (@RickCarusoLA) February 21, 2025

“Chief Crowley served Los Angeles well and spoke honestly about the severe and profoundly ill-conceived budget cuts the Bass administration made to the LAFD. That courage to speak the truth was brave, and I admire her. Honesty in a high city official should not be a firing offense. The Mayor’s decision to ignore the warnings and leave the city was hers alone. This is a time for city leaders to take responsibility for their actions and their decisions. We need real leadership, not more blame passing.”

Crowley’s ousting is just another example of what happens when someone dares to expose the failures of Democrat leadership. Rather than fixing the problems, they eliminate the messenger and hope the public forgets.

Unfortunately for Bass, the people of Los Angeles are still dealing with the consequences of her administration’s incompetence.

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