LA Mayor Karen Bass Faces Scrutiny Over Ghana Trip During Deadly Fires

Mayor Bass acknowledges her international travel during the January fires was a mistake, breaking a prior campaign promise to avoid such trips.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass traveled to Ghana for a presidential inauguration on January 5, coinciding with the onset of deadly fires in Los Angeles County.
Bass admitted the trip was a mistake and broke a campaign promise not to travel internationally except for specific domestic-related purposes.
The fires, including the massive Palisades fire, caused at least 29 deaths and destroyed over 18,000 structures, with early estimates suggesting record-breaking damages.
Critics have questioned Bass's decision to travel despite warnings of extreme weather conditions, though she maintained contact with local officials throughout her trip.
A former classmate defended Bass, arguing the fires' severity was unforeseeable and that she returned to Los Angeles as quickly as possible.