Mayor Karen Bass Faces Criticism Over Fire Budget Cuts

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is facing mounting criticism for her handling of the city's wildfires, which have consumed over 20,000 acres and resulted in at least two fatalities. Critics, including former mayoral opponent Rick Caruso and LA Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong, have lambasted her for cutting the Los Angeles Fire Department's budget by approximately $17.6 million, questioning her leadership as firefighters struggle with water shortages. Bass was also criticized for being out of the country in Ghana during the onset of the fires, returning to a city in crisis. While she has engaged with federal officials for recovery efforts, detractors argue that her decisions have exacerbated the disaster. As wildfires rage with zero percent containment in several areas, calls for accountability grow louder, highlighting the urgent need for effective resource management in emergencies.