Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass recently faced criticism after she dodged questions from reporters about pressing political issues, opting instead to attend a different event shortly after the California Post highlighted a cover-up related to the Palisades fire.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Bass announced an executive order that prevents Immigration and Customs Enforcement from utilizing city property for their operations. Reporters took the opportunity to ask Bass about remarks made by her challenger, Nitya Raman, who had called for an increase in police presence.
Bass responded to some inquiries but indicated she would save off-topic discussions for later. It seemed like a straightforward approach at first.
However, when a reporter attempted to follow up on Raman’s comments—particularly noteworthy because she was a former ally—Bass cut the conversation short.
“This session is focused on the executive order. If political questions arise, they can be addressed later,” she stated, suggesting a desire to keep things moving.
Despite her assurances, she ultimately left the podium without returning to take any more questions from the media. Colby Lee, her communications director, mentioned that people could direct their questions via email instead, raising eyebrows among the gathered reporters.
“So, she lied to us?” one reporter questioned aloud, hinting at the transparency concerns surrounding her behavior.
Going forward, Bass is likely to be confronted with tough questions—not only from Raman’s campaign but also regarding revisions made to the report about the Palisades fire.
According to the California Post, they obtained an original draft of the report, which had been significantly altered before release. It turns out the final version was 22 pages shorter than what was initially drafted, suggesting considerable edits took place.
Bass defended herself by claiming she merely reviewed an early version and instructed the Los Angeles Fire Department to verify details including budget and weather accuracy, asserting that neither she nor her team made the edits.
She has also faced backlash for not answering questions about the Palisades fire during the crucial aftermath when emotions were high, showcasing an apparent disconnect after returning from a trip abroad.
