A Change.org petition demanding the resignation of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has surpassed 152,000 signatures amid mounting criticism over her handling of the recent devastating wildfires. The petition cites Bass' absence from the city during the crisis, budget cuts to the fire department, and inadequate resource allocation as key failings.
A Change.org petition demanding the resignation of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has garnered over 152,000 signatures as thousands of families grapple with the long road to recovery following devastating wildfires, particularly the Palisades and Eaton fires, which left communities in ruins. Initiated by a user known as 'Frustrated Californian,' the petition accuses Bass of 'gross mismanagement' and a lack of leadership during the crisis.
The petition highlights Bass' diplomatic trip to Ghana, which coincided with the eruption of the wildfires, keeping her out of the country during the critical period. It also criticizes the city's preparedness and resource allocation, citing water shortages and underfunding of emergency services. 'Families have been displaced, homes destroyed, and livelihoods shattered—yet Mayor Bass has been absent from the front lines,' the petition states. Calls for Bass' resignation intensified after Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley revealed that budget cuts hampered the department's wildfire response. 'My message is the fire department needs to be properly funded,' Crowley told FOX LA. 'It's not.'In the 2025 fiscal year, the Los Angeles Fire Department experienced a $17.6 million budget reduction. Crowley emphasized that call volumes have doubled since 2010, while the city grapples with a dwindling number of fire stations and firefighters. Bass defended the budget cuts during a Thursday press conference, asserting they did not impede the city's response. However, Crowley contradicted this, stating, 'Yes, it was cut, and it did impact our ability to provide service.' As the wind-driven fires rapidly spread, decimating nearly everything in their path, 180,000 residents were evacuated. By Friday, January 17, 27 deaths were reported in the Palisades and Eaton fires, while at least 31 people remained missing. Water shortages across the city hindered firefighting efforts, prompting Governor Gavin Newsom to launch an investigation into the Department of Water and Power. Bass returned to Los Angeles on Wednesday, January 8, following her trip to Ghana, and defended her leadership during the crisis. 'Although I wasn’t physically here, I was in touch with many of the individuals standing here throughout the entire time,' Bass stated. She reiterated her commitment to saving lives and homes, promising a thorough review of the city's response once the fires were contained. 'LA has to be strong, united,' Bass said Thursday. 'We will reject those who seek to divide us and seek to misinform.' The petition has garnered support from both irate residents and prominent figures. Actress Sara Foster and Elon Musk publicly called for Bass to resign, with Musk characterizing her as 'utterly incompetent' on X. Actor James Woods criticized both Bass and Newsom, attributing poor fire management rather than climate change as the root cause of the crisis. Actress Sarah Michelle Gellar expressed frustration on Instagram regarding evacuation gridlock and a lack of preparedness, highlighting the growing public backlash. The wildfires have emerged as a defining crisis during Mayor Bass' tenure. Faced with mounting pressure from critics and persistent calls for her resignation, Bass faces an uphill battle to regain public trust and guide the city's recovery. Meanwhile, Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley has emphasized the urgent need for increased funding and resources to ensure the city is better prepared for future disasters. Bass has pledged a 'deep dive' into the city's response once the fires are contained, but for many Angelenos, the damage is already irreparable
Karen Bass Los Angeles Wildfires Resignation Crisis Leadership Budget Cuts LAFD
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