• The wildfires in Los Angeles, which have caused $250 billion in damage and displaced thousands, have exposed significant leadership failures by Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom. Residents are demanding accountability and action, criticizing both leaders for inadequate responses and poor decision-making.
• Bass has been scrutinized for cutting $17.6 million from the LA Fire Department’s budget, diverting funds to other initiatives like the LAPD and homelessness programs. Her delayed response to the wildfires and absence during critical moments have left residents feeling abandoned.
• Newsom also faces backlash for prioritizing his political ambitions over the crisis. His 2019 pledge to clear flammable underbrush was never fully realized, and his recent $101 million budget cut to firefighting efforts worsened the situation. Residents criticize his lack of on-the-ground presence and focus on maintaining his national image.
• The wildfires have sparked widespread anger, with recall efforts gaining momentum against both Bass and Newsom. Residents accuse them of mismanagement and neglect, arguing that better planning and investment in fire prevention could have mitigated the disaster.
• To regain public trust, Bass and Newsom must prioritize fire prevention and response, restore funding for firefighting resources and be present and transparent with affected communities. The crisis demands immediate, decisive action to rebuild LA and restore faith in its leadership.

Los Angeles is burning, and its residents are furious. The 2025 wildfires, which have ravaged neighborhoods, displaced thousands and left a trail of destruction estimated at $250 billion, have exposed a glaring lack of leadership from Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom.

As the flames continue to consume homes and livelihoods, Angelenos are demanding accountability, action and a clear path forward from their elected officials.

Residents frustrated at the shortcomings of Bass and Newsom

The crisis has laid bare the shortcomings of both leaders. Mayor Bass, who took office in 2022 with promises of unity and progress, has been criticized for her absence during critical moments of the disaster.

Her decision to cut $17.6 million from the LA Fire Department’s budget earlier this year has come under intense scrutiny, with many questioning her priorities.

At a time when the city needed robust firefighting resources, Bass diverted funds to other initiatives, including the LAPD and homelessness programs. This decision, coupled with her delayed response to the wildfires, has left residents feeling abandoned.

Meanwhile, Governor Gavin Newsom has faced accusations of prioritizing his political ambitions over the needs of his constituents. His handling of the crisis has been marked by missteps, from tone-deaf photo ops to misleading statements about wildfire preparedness. (Related: Gavin Newsom could face second recall election as Californians express disappointment over his handling of L.A. fires.)

Newsom’s 2019 pledge to clear flammable underbrush in fire-prone areas like Pacific Palisades was never fully realized, leaving the region vulnerable to the inferno that followed. His recent budget cuts to firefighting efforts — slashing $101 million just months before the wildfires erupted — have only deepened public distrust.

For residents like Eddie De Ferrari, a retired accountant who lost his home to the Eaton Fire, the lack of leadership has been devastating. “At the very least, you’d expect [Newsom] to be on the ground, showing he cares,” De Ferrari said.

Instead, the governor has been criticized for appearing more focused on his national image than on the crisis at hand.

Elysabeth Cherniak, a Pacific Palisades resident who narrowly escaped the flames, echoed these sentiments. “The emergency workers and volunteers have been incredible, but where is Karen Bass? She’s nowhere to be found,” said Cherniak. “This is a time when we need strong leadership, and she’s failing us.”

The fallout from the wildfires has sparked a wave of anger and frustration across the city.

Recall efforts against both Bass and Newsom are gaining momentum, fueled by accusations of mismanagement and neglect. Critics argue that the crisis could have been mitigated with better planning and investment in fire prevention and response.

Instead, residents are left grappling with the consequences of what many see as a failure of governance.

What Bass and Newsom must do

For Bass and Newsom to regain the trust of their constituents, they must take immediate and decisive action.

Here’s what they can do:

Prioritize fire prevention and response

Both leaders must commit to restoring and increasing funding for firefighting resources. This includes investing in equipment, personnel and infrastructure to ensure that LA is better prepared for future disasters.

Newsom should also revisit his 2019 pledge to clear flammable underbrush and make it a top priority.

Be present and transparent

Angelenos need to see their leaders on the ground, engaging with affected communities and demonstrating empathy.

Bass and Newsom must hold regular, transparent briefings to update the public on recovery efforts and address concerns directly.

Reevaluate budget priorities

Bass must reassess her budget allocations to ensure that critical services like firefighting and emergency response are adequately funded.

Cutting corners on public safety in favor of other initiatives is a gamble that LA can no longer afford.

Collaborate with federal and local partners

Newsom must work closely with federal agencies and local officials to secure the resources needed for recovery.

This includes advocating for federal disaster relief and coordinating with neighboring jurisdictions to address the broader impact of the wildfires.

Address long-term challenges

Both leaders must tackle the underlying issues that have exacerbated the crisis, such as urban sprawl and inadequate infrastructure.

This will require bold, forward-thinking policies that prioritize the safety and well-being of all Californians.

Hope for a city in crisis

The 2025 wildfires have been a wake-up call for LA. They have exposed the fragility of the city’s infrastructure, the consequences of poor planning and the dire need for competent leadership.

As the flames continue to rage, Angelenos are demanding more from their elected officials.

Bass and Newsom have a choice: They can rise to the occasion, take responsibility and lead their constituents through this crisis, or they can continue to falter and risk losing the trust of the people they were elected to serve.

The time for excuses is over. The time for action is now.

LA deserves better. Its residents deserve leaders who will put their needs first, who will fight for their safety, and who will work tirelessly to rebuild their city.

The question is, will Bass and Newsom step up, or will they step aside?

More related stories can be found at CaliforniaCollapse.news.

Watch the video below as California gubernatorial candidate Larry Elder calls for Bass and Newson to resign.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

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Four arrested in separate incidents for attempting to ignite new fires in Los Angeles County.

WILDFIRES and ZONING WARS: Altadena residents fear land grab amid Los Angeles County rebuilding plans.

BOMBSHELL: Los Angeles and Maui infernos likely started using PATENTED ENERGY WEAPON that lights anything on FIRE unless it’s blue.

Sources include:

NYPost.com

City-Journal.org

APNews.com

Brighteon.com