As wildfires ravage Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass faces intense backlash for her recent trip to Ghana and the significant $17.5 million budget cut to the fire department prior to the fires. Many, including celebrities like Sarah Michelle Gellar and Jillian Michaels, have publicly condemned her response, questioning her leadership during this crisis. Fire Chief warnings about the impact of budget cuts on emergency response have surfaced, amplifying the criticism as five lives were lost in the ongoing fires. Mayor Bass has struggled to address media inquiries regarding her decision to prioritize a trip over fire management, leading to calls for accountability and an apology from city residents.