L.A. Mayor Karen Bass Linked to Communist Cuba, Praised Fidel Castro [WATCH]

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is facing intense scrutiny for her response to the devastating wildfires that have swept through parts of the city, resulting in 27 tragic deaths and leaving many people displaced.

Critics argue that Bass, at 71 years old, has focused more on social justice initiatives rather than prioritizing emergency preparedness and effective governance. These criticisms have placed her political future in a precarious position, with doubts emerging about her capability to steer the city through its ongoing challenges.

Former President Donald Trump did not hesitate to voice his disapproval of Bass’s actions during a roundtable event in Los Angeles. He highlighted her response to the wildfires as insufficient, urging her to act more swiftly. The exchange was broadcast live, capturing Trump’s comment: “I’m exercising my emergency powers. You have to exercise them also. You can do everything within 24 hours.”

Bass, who made history as Los Angeles’s first female mayor in December 2022, has been no stranger to controversy. Her political journey has been marred by past praise for Fidel Castro and associations with the Venceremos Brigade, a pro-Cuba group. Additionally, a resurfaced video from her mayoral campaign showed her speaking favorably at a Church of Scientology event, sparking further debate.

The most recent uproar over Bass’s leadership stems from her actions during the wildfires, notably her absence when the Palisades fire erupted on January 7. At the time, she was attending the inauguration of Ghana’s president as part of a U.S. delegation. Although she returned to Los Angeles the next day, her absence and perceived lack of urgency drew sharp criticism.

Adding fuel to the fire, Bass was confronted by a reporter about her decision to cut nearly $20 million from the Fire Department’s budget. Her silence in response has only intensified the backlash. Property developer Rick Caruso, who narrowly lost to Bass in the 2022 mayoral race, criticized her for being absent during critical moments, suggesting she was more concerned with attending events abroad.

Bass’s decision to reduce funding for the Los Angeles Fire Department by $17 million in the latest city budget has sparked outrage among critics. They argue that these cuts hindered the city’s ability to respond effectively to disasters. Notably, the United Firefighters of Los Angeles had endorsed Caruso in the 2022 election, adding another layer to the political drama.

Former Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley weighed in, stating that Bass’s leadership has eroded public trust. “The perception of her from residents at this point is such that she can no longer effectively lead the city of Los Angeles. She’s lost the public’s trust and, importantly, their respect,” he remarked.

Another element of controversy involves Bass’s appointment of Janisse Quiñones as LA’s water czar, who receives a $750,000 annual salary. Quiñones has been blamed for mismanagement that allegedly contributed to the wildfire crisis. Despite these criticisms, Bass defended her actions, asserting she remained in contact with local officials during her time abroad.

Residents have expressed mixed reactions to Bass’s handling of the situation. In her former Baldwin Hills community, some praised her advocacy for their concerns, while others voiced frustration over her absence and leadership decisions.

Kevin Walker, a former neighbor, emphasized the importance of perception, stating, “The problem is optics. She’s at the top of the food chain, so the buck stops with her.”

In Hancock Park, where Bass now resides, resident Adil Farooqui compared the fires to Hurricane Katrina, calling it “a tragedy of a lifetime.” He acknowledged mistakes were made, paralleling the situation to a significant national disaster.

As Bass navigates these turbulent waters, calls for independent investigations into the city’s wildfire response are growing. The challenges facing Los Angeles have heightened demands for transparent and accountable leadership, leaving Bass to contend with increasing pressure from residents, political foes, and the media.

While the city begins to recover from the wildfires, questions linger about Bass’s ability to address the underlying issues that have beset her administration.

For many Angelenos, the wildfires symbolize not only a natural disaster but also a failure of leadership at the highest levels.