Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is under fire for her actions during a critical time for the city. As flames engulfed parts of Los Angeles, Bass was reportedly attending a cocktail party in Ghana.

The Los Angeles Times highlighted this incident, pointing out that Bass was mingling and posing for photos on January 7 during an embassy event, while back home, the city faced a major fire crisis

Critics are questioning Bass’s decision to cut the fire department’s budget and her decision to leave the country amidst an impending weather disaster. Days before her trip, the National Weather Service had issued warnings about a severe windstorm that could prove life-threatening and destructive. Despite these warnings, Bass proceeded with her travel plans and remained overseas even as the threat escalated.

A spokesperson for Bass mentioned that the event in Ghana was hosted by the U.S. ambassador, Virginia Evelyn Palmer. Following the party, Bass and others who attended the inauguration of Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama reportedly took a military flight back to Los Angeles. However, the timing of her return has sparked criticism, suggesting she prioritized international events over her responsibilities at home.

The Los Angeles Times also noted that photos from the event, posted by city staffer Marissa Bowman on LinkedIn, confirmed Bass’s presence at the party around noon Los Angeles time. This coincided with the issuance of evacuation orders in the Pacific Palisades. Meanwhile, Instagram posts by Ghanaian emcee Nathaniel Attoh suggested that Bass was enjoying herself as the fires began spreading across the county.

Zach Seidl, a spokesperson for Bass, defended her by claiming that she spent most of the party in a separate room, engaged in calls concerning Los Angeles. However, the lack of a direct comment from Bass to the Times leaves many questions unanswered.

Adding to the controversy, Brian Williams, Bass’s deputy mayor responsible for the fire department, was also unavailable during this crucial time. He was reportedly on leave following allegations of making a bomb threat against City Hall. This absence of leadership has fueled concerns about the city’s management during the crisis.

In response to the growing dissatisfaction, a recall effort against Bass is gaining momentum. A petition on Change.org, demanding her removal due to “gross mismanagement and failure to effectively respond to the devastating 2025 fires,” has already garnered over 147,500 signatures. The petition accuses Bass of neglecting her duties and leaving her constituents to suffer while she traveled abroad.

This situation has sparked a broader conversation about leadership accountability and the priorities of elected officials. Many in Los Angeles feel let down by the perceived lack of preparedness and response to the fire crisis. The recall movement signifies a significant discontent among residents who expected more from their mayor during such a critical time.

While Bass’s supporters might argue that international relations are crucial, many Angelenos feel that her primary responsibility is to the city and its immediate needs, especially during emergencies. The decision to travel, compounded by the budget cuts to essential services like the fire department, has left many questioning her judgment and commitment to the city’s well-being.

This incident underscores the importance of leadership presence during emergencies. Residents expect their leaders to be front and center, guiding and supporting them through crises. The absence of key city officials during such a critical time has only amplified the frustration and sense of abandonment felt by many.

As the recall effort continues to gain traction, it remains to be seen how Bass will address these concerns and whether she can regain the trust of her constituents. The situation serves as a reminder of the delicate balance leaders must maintain between fulfilling international obligations and prioritizing the immediate needs of their communities.

For now, Los Angeles residents are left to grapple with the aftermath of the fires and the ongoing political fallout. The recall petition’s growing support indicates a significant desire for change and accountability in local leadership. Whether this will lead to actual change remains to be seen, but it has undoubtedly sparked a critical conversation about the role of elected officials in times of crisis.

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  • Why was she out of the country in the first place. Who was paying for her trip and why would she have to be there it has nothing to do with California official business. This is politicians wasting taxpayers money. Her and Newsom need to be charged criminally for endangering people’s lives. Totally unacceptable and incompetent leadership they should be held accountable for dereliction of duty. People died because of their actions.

    • Sue; that is how it is and heads should roll as the adage goes! This is such a giant atrocity and yet these lowlife scums act like they don’t have a care in the world and laugh as they go!
      This situation and they are pure evil! They should all be tried and executed at GITMO!

  • California for 60 years has not done anything to take care of fires…then the rains that will come and create mudslides. they have counted on federal aid to pull them out everytime. if it were any other state, after the 2nd time this happened would have mandated to do something to try and keep these things from being so destructive or they wouldn’t get federal aid again. but not California! why? why is California different than any other state? I’ve been there. they have some interesting places to visit but way too many people to want to live there

    • I was once a fine and interesting place to live and work, but that changed over the decades and it’s now a shit-hole and may as well be named the “New Sodom and Gomorrah!”