Mayor Karen Bass refused to answer questions about the Los Angeles fires on Wednesday as a reporter pressed her about being out of town while fires burned out of control in her city.
Bass did not acknowledge Sky News reporter David Blevins as he asked the mayor a series of questions about being in Ghana in the early hours of wildfires that’s engulfed much of America’s second largest city.
“Do you owe citizens an apology for being absent while their homes were burning? » Blevins asked on an airport jetway.
Bass did not answer, so Blevins kept asking questions.
« Do you regret cutting the fire department budget by millions of dollars, Madam Mayor?” the reporter pressed.
Again, Bass stood silent and nearly motionless. Blevins was referencing a budget reduction approved by Bass last year that cut nearly $18 million from the Los Angeles Fire Department by freezing hiring and cutting overtime meant for training, NBC Los Angeles reported.
“Have you nothing to say today? Have you absolutely nothing to say to the citizens today?” Blevis continued. « Elon Musk says that you’re utterly incompetent, are you considering your position? »
The mayor stared off into the distance without answering.
“Madam Mayor, have you absolutely nothing to say to the citizens today, who are dealing with this disaster? » the reporter asked.
About 40 seconds into the questioning, Bass turned away from the reporter on the jetway.
« No apology for them? Do you think you should have been visiting Ghana when this was unfolding back home? » Blevins said.
She then angled her way to behind an aide before walking away.
Representatives for Bass and the mayor’s office did not immediately respond to and NBC News request for comment on the airport incident.
Bass had left Southern California on Saturday and then attended the inauguration of Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday.
The Palisades Fire erupted on Tuesday and has charred more than 17,000 acres as of Thursday morning.
Bass narrowly won election to City Hall two years ago, edging billionaire real estate developer Rick Caruso and becoming the city’s first female mayor.
« I don’t think this was the time the mayor should be on a global trip, » Caruso told CNBC on Wednesday. « The very basic needs of leadership is to be present. »
Later on Wednesday, Bass visited several areas torched by wildfire.
The mayor also defended the $17.8 million reduction in the fire department’s budget. In a Dec. 4 memo, LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley said the cuts have « severely limited the department’s capacity to prepare for, train for, and respond to large-scale emergencies, including wildfires. »
“I am confident that it did not,” Bass told reporters Wednesday evening when asked about the chief’s memo, adding that spending for the fire department could actually increase this year.
She also addressed her trip abroad, dismissing concerns that she should have been in the city. “Although I was not physically here I was in contact with many of the individuals that are standing here throughout the entire time,” Bass said at the press conference as she was flanked by other officials.
“I was on the phone, on the plane, almost every hour of the flight,” she said.
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