Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faced intense criticism for her absence during the recent wildfires, prompting questions about her leadership and budget decisions.
An expressionless Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass refused to answer reporters' questions after being pressed on her initial absence as wildfires raged across her jurisdiction. 'Do you owe citizens an apology for being absent while their homes were burning? And do you regret cutting the Fire Department budget by millions of dollars, Madame Mayor ?' Sky News reporter David Blevins asked as Bass waited to deplane Wednesday following her trip to Ghana.
'Have you absolutely nothing to say to the citizens today?' he added. CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES RAGE ACROSS LOS ANGELES COUNTY, FORCING THOUSANDS TO EVACUATE Bass refused to acknowledge the reporter, continuing to ignore questions as she looked at the ground. 'No apology to them? Do you think you should have been visiting Ghana while this was unfolding back home?' he said. 'Madam mayor, let me ask you just again, have you anything to say to the citizens today as you return?' he said. On Wednesday, during a late-afternoon news conference in Los Angeles, Bass said that she took the 'fastest route back,' adding that she used a military plane for her speedy arrival. 'I took the fastest route back, which included being on a military plane, which facilitated our communications,' she said, acknowledging that she was thousands of miles away when the first wildfires broke out Tuesday. 'So I was able to be on the phone the entire time of the flight.' LOS ANGELES MAYOR SLASHED FIRE BUDGET LAST YEAR, PRIORITIZED HOMELESS POPULATION 'We are fighting for you and everyone in Los Angeles,' she said, appearing to be reading prepared remarks. Bass' leadership has been in the spotlight as many have blamed her for the disaster, pointing to the massive budget cuts she made to critical firefighting forces that she poured into spending on the city's homeless population. For the 2023-2024 fiscal year, Los Angeles budgeted $837 million for the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), which was roughly 65% the size of the homeless budget of $1.3 billio
WILDFIRE LOS ANGELES MAYOR BUDGET HOMELESS
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
LA Mayor Bass Silent on Wildfire Response While on Vacation in GhanaLos Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faced criticism for her silence on the city's devastating wildfire response while on a taxpayer-funded trip to Ghana for President John Dramani Mahama's inauguration. The mayor's absence coincided with the worst windstorm to hit Los Angeles since 2011, triggering massive wildfires and evacuations. Bass, who had proposed significant budget cuts to fire services, remained silent for nearly two minutes when questioned by a Sky News reporter about her response to the crisis.
Read more »
Wildfire Strains LA Water System, Sparking CriticismA wildfire in Los Angeles put a severe strain on the city's water system, leading to dry hydrants and hindering firefighting efforts. The incident sparked criticism of Mayor Bass and Governor Newsom's water management policies.
Read more »
Biden Stays Silent as Government Shutdown Looms Over Trump's CriticismPresident Biden remains out of the public eye as a potential government shutdown looms. The White House and Democrats are pushing the responsibility onto Republicans to resolve the funding crisis, sparked by Donald Trump's objections to a proposed deal. The crisis highlights an internal conflict within the Republican party and leaves Biden with limited options for public pressure given his own low approval ratings.
Read more »
Wisconsin Police Silent on School Shooting Update, Mayor Criticizes PressWisconsin police remain tight-lipped about a school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School, where a 15-year-old student killed a fellow student and a teacher before dying by suicide. Two other students remain critically wounded. Police have withheld information about the victims and the motive, leading to frustration and criticism from the press. Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway lashed out at reporters, urging them to respect the victims' privacy and allow them to grieve.
Read more »
LA Mayor Confronted Over Wildfire ResponseSky News reporter David Blevins grilled Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on live TV about her handling of the wildfires, accusing her of being absent and cutting the fire department's budget.
Read more »
Mayor Silent on Deadly California Fires After Reporter GrilledLos Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faced intense criticism for her silence on the devastating Southern California fires. During a press encounter at the airport, a reporter relentlessly questioned her about the crisis, including budget cuts to the fire department. Bass offered no answers, sparking outrage and highlighting the public's dissatisfaction with her handling of the situation.
Read more »