Residents of Los Angeles are demanding the immediate recall of Mayor Karen Bass (D-CA) as devastating wildfires wreak havoc across the city. A Change.org petition calling for her removal has already garnered 59,150 verified signatures as of Saturday morning.
The petition accuses Bass of gross mismanagement and failing to address the crisis effectively. “We, the undersigned residents of Los Angeles and concerned citizens, urgently call for the immediate recall of Mayor Karen Bass due to her gross mismanagement and failure to effectively respond to the devastating 2025 fires in and around the city of Los Angeles,” it reads.
Signatories cite critical issues, including strained water supplies, billions of taxpayer dollars being misallocated or unaccounted for, and the immense loss of life and property. “Families have been displaced, homes destroyed, and livelihoods shattered—yet Mayor Bass has been absent from the frontlines, choosing to travel abroad while her constituents suffer,” the petition alleges.
During a press conference, Bass deflected questions about the growing calls for her resignation, stating, “Answered it in the morning, answered it now, won’t answer it again.” Critics argue her response lacked the urgency and accountability demanded by the crisis.
Adding to the controversy, reports indicate Bass cut nearly $20 million from the city’s budget for fire services in the current fiscal year. This decision has drawn sharp criticism as firefighters continue to battle the catastrophic blazes that have destroyed countless homes and displaced families across the region.
The petition underscores mounting frustration among Los Angeles residents, many of whom believe their leadership has failed them during one of the city’s darkest hours. As the wildfire crisis continues, the push for Mayor Bass’s recall appears to be gaining momentum.
