Upon returning to California after being in Ghana, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass appeared to have nothing to say to the residents she serves as they terrifyingly face raging wildfires that have destroyed their homes and businesses. According to Newsweek, Sky News reporter David Blevins confronted Bass on live TV Wednesday as she arrived in the state, but the Mayor flatly refused to acknowledge the reporter or any of the questions he asked.
“Do you regret cutting the fire department’s budget by millions of dollars, Madam Mayor? Have you nothing to say today?” Blevins pressed to the quiet mayor.
The question comes amid reports that hydrants in the Los Angeles area have run dry as the fires rage, burning everything down in their path. According to the New York Post, Bass has come under serious scrutiny as it was reported that she cut the budget for the city’s Fire Department $17.6 million, a number less than what she had initially wanted which was reportedly a $23 million cut.
To battle the blaze, the LAFD reportedly asked off-duty firefighters to help fight the multiple fires that were worsening by the minute as dangerous winds continued to pick up.
Rick Caruso, an LA developer who lost the city’s 2022 mayoral race to Bass, pointed to a major failure in “leadership management” as a leading cause for why the wildfires got so out of control.
Despite Bass’ apparent refusal to answer questions or make any comment after arriving, Blevins used every second he had to try to get a statement from the mayor on anything about the devastation to the people and city she serves as residents flee for their lives.
“Have you absolutely nothing to say to the citizens today?” Blevins pressed. “Elon Musk says that you are utterly incompetent. Are you considering your position? Madam Mayor, do you have absolutely nothing to say to the citizens today who are dealing with this disaster? No apology for them?”
Commenters on X were quick to criticize the mayor for her lack of acknowledgement.
“She’s in so far over her head it’s scary. She looks a deer in headlights! She will have to answer these questions eventually and be held accountable!” wrote one commenter, with another adding, “What a disgrace. Not one word for the people she represents. She needs to be recalled immediately.”
Others praised Blevins for asking the “tough questions,” despite receiving no response.
According to The Post, “At least five people have been killed and more than 1,000 buildings destroyed across the three fires. The Pacific Palisades Fire, burning on the northwest corner of LA, is over 15,000 acres. The Eaton Fire, to the northeast, is over 10,000 acres after starting the day at around 2,000. The Hurst Fire, north of the city, is around 500 acres.”
