Karen Bass Faces Backlash Over Absence During L.A. Fires

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is under fire—literally and politically—for being absent during a major wildfire crisis, as she was on a trip to Ghana while the city faced one of its worst fire emergencies. Now, she’s calling for an investigation into why she wasn’t informed of the severity of the situation before leaving.

However, critics are not buying it. Conservative commentators, including Greg Gutfeld and his panel, mocked Bass’s attempt to shift blame, highlighting that she made the conscious decision to leave despite knowing that wildfires are a recurring threat in California.

“She wants to know how she ended up thousands of miles away in Africa? Pretty simple—she got on a plane and flew there,” Gutfeld quipped. “What? Did someone blindfold her and throw her in a truck?”

Bass’s Defense and Response
Bass, defending herself, claimed that she wasn’t fully aware of the warnings before she left. In an interview, she stated:

“Although there were warnings, I wasn’t aware of them. Our preparation wasn’t what it typically is.”

However, her critics weren’t convinced. Many pointed out that Bass has been mayor long enough to know wildfires are a constant threat, and as a leader, it was her responsibility to stay informed. Instead, she appeared to be blaming city officials for not escalating the warnings to her directly.

Panelists on Gutfeld’s show sarcastically compared her response to O.J. Simpson’s infamous search for “the real killer”, saying Bass investigating herself for her own absence was absurd.

“It’s like O.J. saying, ‘We need to find the killer.’ Good luck, Nancy Drew,” one panelist joked.

A Pattern of Excuses?
Adding to the controversy, Bass had previously promised during her campaign that she would not leave the country as mayor—a promise she has already broken multiple times. This latest trip to Ghana marks at least her fourth international visit since taking office, further fueling accusations that she prioritizes personal engagements over the city’s pressing issues.

Critics also pointed out that, rather than taking accountability, Bass is now investigating her own absence.

“We don’t know the details, but we are looking into it,” she said about her trip, raising eyebrows.

Gutfeld’s co-hosts mocked the idea, with one saying:

“Babe, I’m investigating how I ended up at the strip club. I don’t know how it happened. It’s under investigation.”

Blaming the Fire Chief?
In what many see as a deflection, Bass fired the city’s fire chief, seemingly using them as a scapegoat. Critics argued that, rather than taking personal responsibility, Bass simply shifted the blame onto someone else.

One guest remarked:

“Politicians have figured out they don’t need to own up to anything anymore. Instead of admitting fault, Bass could have just blamed Gavin Newsom or even the fire itself!”

Public Outrage Over Mismanagement
Bass’s handling of the situation has only intensified frustration among L.A. residents, particularly given that taxpayer dollars are now being spent on an investigation into something Bass herself could have prevented.

One panelist put it bluntly:

“The only thing I want my tax dollars to go toward now is firing her next!”

Final Thoughts
Karen Bass’s absence during the L.A. fires has exposed a deeper issue of political accountability. While she insists on investigating how this situation happened, critics argue that the answer is obvious—she chose to leave.

This incident has damaged her credibility and may influence her political future. With growing dissatisfaction among voters, some speculate that her next promotion in California politics may not be so easy to secure.

For now, Bass is left to answer one big question—not how she ended up in Africa, but why she thinks the public will believe her excuses.