Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is facing increased criticism after photos surfaced online showing her attending a cocktail party in Ghana while the devastating Palisades wildfire erupted in her city.
Newsweek reached out to Bass's office for comment via email on Wednesday.
Why It Matters
The wildfire, which began on January 7 and has claimed at least 24 lives while destroying more than 12,000 structures in Los Angeles County, erupted while Bass was overseas as part of a U.S. delegation attending the inauguration of Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama.
Bass's office defended her actions, stating that she spent much of the reception in a separate room making calls to Los Angeles officials.
"Although I wasn't physically here, I was in touch with many of the individuals standing here throughout the entire time," Bass said upon her return.
Her decision to leave Los Angeles during a weather warning and the timing of her return has drawn sharp criticism, especially given her earlier pledge not to travel internationally during her tenure as mayor.
What To Know
Deleted photos previously shared on social media showed Bass mingling with dignitaries at a U.S. Embassy reception in Accra just hours before evacuation orders were issued in Los Angeles.
The images depicting Bass smiling alongside attendees, including Ghanaian leaders and other U.S. delegates, have sparked widespread backlash. A timestamp from a delegate's visible watch places her at the event shortly before 8 p.m. local time, equivalent to noon in Los Angeles—about when thick smoke began blanketing parts of the city.
Minutes later, the first evacuation orders for the Palisades Fire were issued.
Critics argue the photos highlight a lack of urgency and awareness during a citywide crisis. Former mayoral opponent Rick Caruso called her decision to leave the city a "dereliction of duty."
Social media reactions were equally harsh, with many accusing Bass of failing to prioritize her responsibilities. Bass's spokesperson, Zach Seidl, defended her actions in response, stating, "For the majority of the time, the mayor was in a different room on calls from L.A."
Bass eventually returned to Los Angeles via military transport, but her absence lasted more than 24 hours, fueling continued criticism of her judgment during the crisis.
Addressing reporters upon her return, Bass reiterated, "Although I wasn't physically here, I was in touch with many of the individuals standing here throughout the entire time."
What People Are Saying
Jon Favreau, co-host of Pod Save America, on X, formerly Twitter: "If this were a Republican, Democrats would (rightly) be making it an issue. The mayor should at least acknowledge that she made the wrong judgment here."
Rick Caruso, former Los Angeles mayoral candidate, on X: "There's undeniable frustration over reports that critical resources like water for hoses were unavailable and that brush clearance wasn't conducted on public land. These shortcomings need to be addressed, and tough questions asked of why our leadership, including the mayor, weren't here. The basic fundamentals of leadership start with being present."
What's Next
The main concern regarding the Los Angeles fires is the threat of strong winds.
Firefighters from other states, Canada, and Mexico have joined efforts to contain flare-ups and prevent new fires. The team is much larger than a week ago when the fires began, destroying thousands of homes and potentially becoming the nation's costliest fire disaster.
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