Trump Critiques Bass’s Out-of-Country Timing Amid Wildfire Crisis
Former President Donald Trump did not hold back in his criticism of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass during a campaign stop in Arizona. He condemned her choice to be in Africa while wildfires wreaked havoc across Southern California, framing the trip as a glaring failure in leadership. “Then you have the incompetent Mayor of Los Angeles, who decided to go to AFRICA during the fire!” Trump remarked, emphasizing what he views as a dereliction of duty.
Trump’s remarks targeted Bass’s timing, as she embarked on her trip to Africa in late August, coinciding with a troubling spike in wildfire incidents. While she attended investment summits and fostered international relations, communities back home were navigating the aftermath of disaster, struggling to rebuild amid bureaucratic hurdles and delays. In Trump’s words, “They still haven’t got their permits,” signaling the frustration residents felt about the slow pace of recovery.
The former president’s comments resonated with many experiencing the fallout from the lasting destruction. With over 3,200 structures damaged or destroyed by wildfires between August and September, residents in areas like Malibu and Topanga Canyon are grappling with a permitting process that seems to be at a standstill. Even as federal agencies indicated that permissions were cleared, city-level delays have left homeowners anxious and powerless.
Statistics illustrate the extent of the problem. As of March 2024, only 22 percent of homeowners affected by the fires had received the local construction permits necessary to begin rebuilding. Many attribute these delays to setbacks within the city’s planning department, a sobering indicator of what critics describe as ineffective leadership during a time of crisis.
While Bass’s office defended her trip as a vital economic mission, many residents and even some city council members voiced concern over the missed opportunity for leadership at home. One senior city staffer remarked, “That doesn’t make you a leader—it makes you absent,” underscoring a sentiment growing among the public.
Trump contrasted Bass’s approach with the quick disaster response his administration executed during past events, like hurricane recovery efforts in Puerto Rico and Florida, where permits were issued swiftly. His observations echoed the statements of disaster response experts who remarked on the importance of local leadership in expediting recovery. “If Los Angeles had all federal green lights a year ago and there’s still almost 80 percent of residents waiting for a building permit, that’s problematic,” said Jennifer Miles, a former FEMA official.
The situation has led to rising frustrations within affected communities, where residents have begun forming alliances to push for expedited approvals. Homeowner Mike Rollins put it bluntly: “You don’t need to go to Africa to know this isn’t working. You just need to look out the window.” Such statements encapsulate the anger and disillusionment that have emerged in the aftermath of the wildfires.
Public records reveal a troubling picture: agreements to travel were made well in advance, despite city forecasts warning of higher wildfire risks. This raises questions about the preparedness and contingency plans in place during Bass’s absence. City Council memos had already indicated concerns regarding resource constraints and the potential for wildfires during fall, yet the preparations seem lacking.
The tension surrounding Bass’s leadership continues to build. City Hall has seen calls from department heads for more personnel to tackle the backlog of permit requests, as staffing shortages exacerbate the already challenging recovery process.
Comparisons to Trump’s time in office hang in the air, as his supporters argue that Los Angeles leadership prioritized international diplomacy over pressing local needs. “We’re paying the price for that choice every day our neighborhood stays in limbo,” noted retired firefighter Frank Itani, verbalizing the frustrations felt by residents caught in the bureaucratic crossfire.
While the mayor has promised renewed efforts to address recovery issues, many residents feel the damage has been done. Public trust in the city’s leadership during a crisis may take longer to rebuild than the structures lost, highlighting a broader concern for effective governance in times of need.
"*" indicates required fields
