LA Mayor Speechless Under Fire Over Wildfire Destruction Questions [WATCH]

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is under fire for slashing the city’s fire department budget just months before the most destructive wildfire in the city’s history erupted on Tuesday.

The devastating blazes have claimed over 1,000 structures and forced tens of thousands to evacuate their homes as firefighters struggle to contain the flames.

The Los Angeles Fire Department’s budget was reduced by $17.6 million in the 2024-25 fiscal year, according to city records.

L.A. Fire Chief Kristin Crowley warned Mayor Karen Bass (D) last month the $17+ million she cut from the department’s budget “severely limited the department’s capacity to prepare for, train for, and respond to large-scale emergencies, including wildfires” pic.twitter.com/tgzIAeHIsQ

— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) January 9, 2025

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This marked the second-largest funding cut in Bass’ budget, which allocated a $126 million increase to the Los Angeles Police Department during the same period.

The cuts to the fire department were initially proposed to be even larger—$23 million—before being adjusted in the final budget.

The timing of the budget cuts has drawn sharp criticism as the city faces an unprecedented wildfire crisis.

Fire hydrants in some areas reportedly ran dry, complicating firefighters’ efforts to battle the fast-moving flames fueled by Santa Ana winds.

Adding to the criticism, Bass was out of the country when the fires began, attending the presidential inauguration in Ghana.

FOX 11: “If you’re wondering, ‘Where is LA Mayor Karen Bass?’ She has been in Ghana, so she’s apparently on her way back. That’s why we have not seen her.” pic.twitter.com/tEF9q64HFK

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) January 8, 2025

As the fires engulfed parts of Los Angeles, Bass tweeted updates from Africa, prompting outrage from residents who questioned her priorities during the crisis.

The details of the fire department budget cuts resurfaced as the mayor returned to the city amid mounting backlash.

On Wednesday, she met with Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles firefighters for a photo op in front of charred homes, sparking further criticism from those who viewed the move as performative.

The impact of these fires and winds are devastating.

I just got off the phone with @POTUS and discussed an urgent path forward towards recovery for the thousands of families impacted.

Thank you @CAgovernor and Senator @AlexPadilla4CA for your continued support for our city. pic.twitter.com/zYa8DsD327

— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) January 8, 2025

The New York Post reported on the controversy, highlighting the stark contrast between the increased funding for law enforcement and the reduced budget for firefighting services.

The budget decisions have reignited debates over the city’s preparedness for natural disasters, particularly in light of this year’s El Niño conditions, which contributed to an abundance of dried vegetation that fueled the fires.

The wildfires, which have devastated neighborhoods in Pacific Palisades and beyond, have become the most destructive in Los Angeles history.

They surpassed the damage caused by the 2008 Sayre Fire, which destroyed 604 structures in Sylmar.

Tens of thousands of residents have been displaced, and firefighters have conceded that containment efforts are being hampered by dry conditions and strong winds.

Terrifying Wildfire: Man Records Walls of Fire Surrounding His Home with His Dog Inside…

Tens of thousands of residents in the Los Angeles area, including notable celebrities, have been ordered to evacuate as wildfires rage across Pacific Palisades and Altadena.

The Pacific… pic.twitter.com/yfZ5xO88kn

— RVM News (@redvoicenews) January 8, 2025

Southern California’s “devil winds,” formally known as Santa Ana winds, have exacerbated the situation, pushing the flames across a vast area with little warning.

Experts say the combination of dried vegetation and these strong winds created ideal conditions for the infernos to spread rapidly.

Resurfaced Video Proves Trump Was Right About Gavin Newsom and the Wildfires…

Los Angeles County is grappling with devastating wildfires that have displaced tens of thousands of residents and left vast swathes of land in ashes.

As the blazes rage out of control, a video of… pic.twitter.com/6QGlgZKUzD

— RVM News (@redvoicenews) January 9, 2025

Bass has yet to directly address the backlash over her budget decisions or her absence during the early stages of the crisis.

Upon her return from Ghana, Bass got grilled by a Sky News reporter, and she couldn’t even respond with an apology to the people of Los Angeles for what she has done.

LA Mayor Karen Bass refuses to answer and freezes when a reporter asks her if she regrets cutting the Fire Department’s budget by nearly $20 million and being in Africa during a devastating wildfire pic.twitter.com/BlLUri98zR

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 8, 2025

That along with a subsequent appearance with Newsom and firefighters have done little to quell criticism, as many residents continue to question the city’s preparedness and leadership during such a catastrophic event.

As Los Angeles faces the long road to recovery, the political fallout from the crisis and the budget decisions leading up to it are likely to remain a contentious issue.

For now, firefighters continue to battle the flames as residents wait for answers and support in the aftermath of the city’s worst wildfire disaster.

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