Headlines across the nation are focused on the uncontrolled wildfires decimating swaths of California, particularly Los Angeles and surrounding areas.
As first responders struggle to obtain the resources needed to battle the blaze, state and local leaders have faced mounting criticism. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass have been pilloried by prominent figures from across the ideological spectrum.
According to the New York Post:
“We don’t know the exact causes for the complete failure of government to be able to protect these homes,” the lefty anchor told viewers Friday morning.
“I don’t think we can say it’s the smelt alone. We don’t know what it is. But I do think it is going to be like Hurricane Katrina,” he continued. “I mean, the infrastructure has been slashed.”
Both California Gov. Gavin Newsom and local government officials, like Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, have been lambasted repeatedly this week for alleged mismanagement that may have worsened the devastation currently wreaking havoc on the region.
“You can’t just say it is Karen Bass. You can’t just say it is Gavin Newsom. This has been a trend for 30 years,” Scarborough argued.
Over the past three decades, three out of five governors in the Golden State have been Democrats. Four of the five mayors who have overseen Los Angeles County in that time were Democrats, too.
The two leftists are also taking their lumps on social media as the fires continue to grow:
Barack Obama to Karen Bass: "I'm confident you're gonna be an outstanding mayor of LA."
LA under Karen Bass:
-Defunded fire dept
-Empty reservoirs
-Stolen hydrants
-Canceled hydrant testing
-Funded transgender cafes
-Visits Ghana while city is burningDid I miss anything? pic.twitter.com/tw4Sra7Dhl
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 10, 2025
This horse broke away to go back for two friends as he was being evacuated. It shows that animals are much more concerned and far smarter than Governor Gavin Newsom or Los Angeles Mayor, Karen Bass. pic.twitter.com/FUmf2YdH27
— 𝔹𝕦𝕕 & ℂ𝕒𝕤𝕖𝕪… (@bud_cann) January 10, 2025
California residents are PISSED OFF at Karen Bass. pic.twitter.com/CS4iQbUcoa
— Mila Joy (@MilaLovesJoe) January 10, 2025
The chief and deputy chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department have also come under attack for seeming to prioritize diversity over efficacy:
The scariest part of this woke nonsense is when she admits she’s not strong enough to carry a man out of a fire, but it’s really the man’s fault for being in that situation to begin with.
— Not the Bee (@Not_the_Bee) January 9, 2025
As Newsweek reported:
Los Angeles Fire Department Deputy (LAFD) Chief Kristine Larson is facing widespread criticism online after comments surfaced in which she appeared to shift blame onto fire victims for their circumstances.
Speaking as part of a video that aired during a commercial break for the FOX show 9-1-1 about firefighter capabilities, Larson said, “Am I able to carry your husband out of a fire? He got himself in the wrong place if I have to carry him out.”
Her remarks, captured in a resurfaced clip now circulating widely on social media, have sparked outrage among community members and safety advocates, who view them as lacking empathy for victims of fires and emergencies. The comments were originally shared by the right-wing account @EndWokeness on X, formerly Twitter, garnering millions of views and heated debate.
Why It Matters
The controversy touches on critical issues of public trust and accountability in emergency services. Larson, a 33-year veteran and the first African American woman to serve as deputy chief of the LAFD, oversees the department’s Equity and Human Resources Bureau. Her role includes championing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Critics argue that her remarks undermine public confidence in the department’s commitment to protecting all residents regardless of circumstance.
Here’s some commentary from Megyn Kelly about the actions of L.A. Fire Chief Kristen Crowley:
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