Devastating Impact of California Wildfires: A Consequence of Support for Leaders Like Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass
Los Angeles is engulfed in flames — and both California Governor Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass are busy trying to safeguard . . . their own interests.
The devastating fires have resulted in at least five fatalities and the destruction of thousands of structures.
Countless acres have been consumed by the flames.
More than 100,000 people have been forced to evacuate, leaving at least 300,000 without power.
And the fires continue to rage on.
A complete disaster. What was Bass’s response?
“If you need assistance, emergency information, resources, and shelter are available. You can find all of this at URL,” the clueless official stammered at a press conference.
She had faced significant backlash for being on a trivial trip to Ghana (one she had chosen to take despite weather warnings about the impending fire danger) when the flames ignited — though she feebly defended herself by claiming she had been “on the phone the entire flight” as she rushed back.
This press conference was her poorly executed attempt at damage control.
Stay updated with NYP’s coverage of the alarming LA-area fires
Just after finally returning to LA, Bass confronted the media as she disembarked her phone-friendly flight — and outright refused to engage.
“Do you have absolutely nothing to say to the residents today?” a Sky News reporter inquired.
Bass simply stared blankly and remained silent.
Yet the mayor had a compelling reason for her silence.
She contributed to this crisis by cutting over $17 million from LA’s Fire Department budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, instead opting to allocate funds to homeless services — a decision her fire chief warned her would undermine disaster-response capabilities.
Meanwhile, her rival, developer Rick Caruso, highlighted the city’s lack of wildfire preparedness as a critical issue during his campaign.
And what about Governor Gavin Newsom, previously seen as a frontrunner for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination?
Surely he had a meaningful response with the nation watching him?
Nope: CNN’s Anderson Cooper questioned him on why the city’s fire hydrants were dry at the crucial moment; Newsom merely said, “Look, the local folks are trying to figure that out.”
Pass the blame, Gavin.
President-elect Donald Trump directly criticized Newsom for rejecting his plan to transfer water from California’s lush northern regions to the parched south, allegedly halted to protect a fish called the delta smelt.
And let’s not forget that Newsom falsely claimed significant progress in anti-fire forestry initiatives during his tenure, exaggerating the extent of land treated with firebreaks and prescribed burns by nearly 700%, according to a 2021 NPR investigation.
What about LA’s public utility system?
Well, two of its last three general managers resigned amid scandal.
One, David Wright, was sentenced to six years in prison for accepting bribes.
The current leader, George McGraw, presents himself as “a leading queer voice in social entrepreneurship, environmental justice, and water” and states on his official website that he aims to focus on equity, empowerment, and sustainability in the role.
DEI kills — literally.
For years, California and Los Angeles have been governed by left-leaning Democrats.
Despite being aware of the significant wildfire threat, they have utterly failed to implement preventive or preparatory measures.
The stark incompetence exhibited by Newsom, Bass, and their allies across issues like crime, immigration, education, and more defines their inadequate infrastructure and readiness capabilities.
Now we witness the deadly consequences, a sobering reminder that voting for Democrats equates to voting for neglect of the government’s fundamental public safety responsibilities — inviting chaos and destruction.
In the midst of this raging inferno across Los Angeles, the left can no longer evade the tragedies for which they are responsible.
