Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is facing a torrent of criticism for her handling of a wildfire crisis. Conservative media outlets, as well as progressive ones, have questioned her political future. Even the LA Times, traditionally supportive of Bass, has distanced itself. Patrick Soon-Shiong, the owner of the LA Times, went so far as to say that endorsing Bass in the 2022 mayoral election was a “mistake.”
The mainstream media has collectively pointed to two major missteps: her absence on January 7, the day the wildfire broke out, due to an official trip to Ghana, and the alleged budget cuts to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).
From Bass’s perspective, these criticisms might feel unfair. She departed for Ghana on January 4, three days before the wildfire. Who could have foreseen such a disaster? Furthermore, the trip was made at the behest of President Joe Biden, who appointed her as part of a congratulatory delegation, making it difficult for her to decline.
As for the claim that she cut the LAFD’s budget, the truth is more nuanced. While it’s true that she initially proposed a $23 million reduction in the fire department’s budget for this fiscal year, negotiations with the City Council and the fire union ultimately resulted in a $58.4 million increase compared to the previous year. Therefore, the assertion that the budget was slashed is not entirely accurate.
These are facts easily verifiable with a few clicks. Yet public sentiment remains cold toward her. This distrust stems from Bass’s perceived complacency and loss of credibility.
The warning signs of disaster were already blinking before she left for Ghana. The day before her departure, the National Weather Service issued a fire weather warning for Los Angeles. As mayor, it was her responsibility to prepare for potential disasters. Instead, she seemingly underestimated the risks and made what now appears to be a complacent choice.
The LA Times, citing an anonymous city employee, remarked, “It is customary to cancel scheduled events or make alternative plans when extreme weather or disaster is anticipated. It’s hard to understand why she didn’t cancel her trip. This is a significant political misstep.”
Indeed, her decision-making may have been compromised long before the crisis. Deputy Mayor Brian Williams, who oversaw public safety, including police and fire services, had been on administrative leave for three weeks before the wildfire. The FBI had begun investigating Williams after allegations of a bomb threat against City Hall led to a search of his home.
However, the most troubling issue for Bass is her perceived lack of sincerity. During her 2021 mayoral campaign, she told the New York Times she would not travel internationally if elected. She stated, “If I do travel, it will only be to Washington, D.C., Sacramento, San Francisco, or New York for matters directly related to LA governance.”
Yet, she has not apologized for her absence during the wildfire crisis. What the public wanted from her was not an excuse but an acknowledgment of her responsibility and an expression of regret for not being there during a critical time. Instead of apologizing, she said she would focus on “rebuilding.” But rebuilding must begin with a heartfelt apology.
By Koohyun Chung chung.koohyun@koreadaily.com
