Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass pushed back against questions about “animosity” between the incoming Trump administration and the state of California that could hinder efforts to tackle the wildfires raging in Los Angeles County.
President Trump harshly criticized Los Angeles and California leaders over their response to the wildfires, saying the cities and states were woefully unprepared.
Bass said Sunday he was “not concerned” about the supposed animosity between Trump and local officials and said he was in contact with Trump's team.
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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said there is no animosity between President-elect Trump and the city. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
President Trump posted on Truth Social on Sunday that “incompetent pollsters” have no idea how to put out the Los Angeles wildfires. He previously accused California Gov. Gavin Newsom of caring more about protecting endangered fish species than protecting the state's residents from wildfires.
The president-elect has long criticized California Democrats for restricting Californians' access to water from northern California's Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers.
California Governor Gavin Newsom and President-elect Trump have clashed over a variety of issues, including the recent wildfires in Los Angeles County. (Getty/AP)
Mr. Newsom and Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Berger each separately invited Mr. Trump to visit the area to see the devastation caused by the fires.
“I participated in the president-elect's invitation to Los Angeles,” Bass said in a press release about Sunday's firefighting effort. “I joined the superintendent and governor yesterday to speak directly to the incoming administration. It was a great call.”
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A burned building in Malibu is seen as the Palisades Fire burns during a storm on the west side of Los Angeles, California, on January 8, 2025. (Reuters/Chiu Ringo)
She added: “As I said, I have some former colleagues who I'm looking to see for their approval. I feel like I can build good relationships there.”
Bass and Berger said they believe President Trump will visit the area.
“Knowing what I know, I want to speak on behalf of Altadena, which is probably the most diverse community, in the 5th District, to say that this is exactly the district he was talking about,” Berger said. he said. “Social and economic actors from all walks of life are coming together and they're suffering. So I'm confident this president will come.”
The mayor also took issue with questions about the alleged lack of communication between the city and the incoming Trump administration.
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“There is no lack of communication between the city of Los Angeles and the incoming Trump administration,” she said. “I have spoken with representatives of the incoming administration, and I will talk more about that in the coming days.”
