LA Mayor Karen Bass stays silent on absence and cutting fire budget as wildfires devastate the city

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faces backlash for attending an event in Africa as wildfires ravage the city.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass was confronted by a reporter on Wednesday as she returned to the U.S. to find wildfires raging in her city.

“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.

“Have you absolutely nothing to say to the citizens today?” he added.

Bass, standing a few feet away on the plane’s ramp, remained silent, staring blankly at Blevins’ questions without responding or acknowledging his presence.

As she entered the airport, she continued to avoid the reporter, who followed her, asking, “No apology for them? Do you think you should have been visiting Ghana while this was unfolding back home?”

“Madam mayor, let me ask you just again, have you anything to say to the citizens today as you return?” he persisted.

Bass exited the terminal without addressing any of his questions, leaving the reporter behind.

The mayor has faced criticism for being in Africa, 7,400 miles away, attending Ghana’s presidential inauguration while wildfires ravaged Los Angeles on Tuesday.

Over 30,000 acres are burning across three fires in the city, with the Santa Ana winds intensifying the flames and firefighters struggling to contain them.

Thousands of structures have been destroyed, and the fires have already been deemed the most destructive in LA’s history.

Critics have pointed to Bass’s decision to reduce the Los Angeles Fire Department’s budget by $17.6 million for the 2024-25 fiscal year as a contributing factor. The cut fell short of the $20 million reduction she initially sought.

Her absence during the fires has drawn widespread condemnation.

“Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is on a taxpayer-funded trip to Africa as part of a Biden administration presidential delegation WHILE HER CITY IS BURNING TO THE GROUND,” America First Works president Ashley Hayek posted on X.