Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is under fire, and it’s not just the city’s wildfires burning her reputation. Since taking office in 2022, Bass has faced a string of controversies, with her handling of recent anti-ICE riots sparking fresh outrage from the Trump administration. Her past flirtations with communism and Scientology aren’t helping her case.
Federal immigration raids on June 6, 2025, ignited protests in Los Angeles that quickly turned violent, and Bass’ denunciation of the raids drew sharp criticism. The Trump administration, led by Vice President JD Vance, accuses her of fanning the flames with rhetoric that emboldens lawlessness, reported Fox News.
Bass, sworn in as mayor in 2022, condemned the raids, but Trump officials argue her words fueled the chaos. Vance didn’t hold back, stating, “Newsom and his stooge Karen Bass fomented and encouraged the riots.” His claim ties her leadership to a broader Democratic agenda, he says, prioritizes migration over stability.
Bass’s political baggage stretches back years, with her praise for communist figures raising eyebrows. In 2016, she called Fidel Castro’s death a “great loss to the people of Cuba,” a statement she later distanced herself from in 2020, admitting it was a mistake. Her evolving views on Cuba’s brutal regime haven’t quieted critics.
In 2017, Bass eulogized Oneil Marion Cannon, a Communist Party USA leader, as a “friend and mentor.” She omitted his communist ties, focusing instead on his work with the Independent Progressive Party. Her team insists she never shared Cannon’s ideology, comparing their friendship to her ties with Republican Kevin McCarthy.
The Castro and Cannon controversies paint a picture of questionable judgment, conservatives argue. Bass’ spokesperson in 2020 claimed she’s “always been a Democrat,” but her past associations keep haunting her. Voters deserve clarity, not convenient rebrands.
In December 2024, Bass’ deputy mayor, Brian Williams, was raided by the FBI for a bomb threat against City Hall. Williams, using a Google Voice app, falsely reported a threat on October 3, 2024, claiming it was tied to the city’s Israel support. He pleaded guilty in May 2025, facing up to 10 years in prison.
Williams texted Bass and others, alleging a caller threatened to bomb City Hall’s rotunda. He later admitted it was a fabrication with no real intent. Bass’s team expressed shock, but the incident further tarnished the credibility of her administration.
The bomb threat scandal underscores a pattern of chaos under Bass’s watch. Her spokesperson in May 2025 called it a “saddening conclusion,” but conservatives see it as evidence of poor leadership. Trust in City Hall is eroding fast.
During her 2022 mayoral campaign, Bass faced heat for a 2010 speech praising the Church of Scientology. She lauded their “universal creed” but distanced herself in 2022 after accounts exposed the group’s controversies. Her flip-flop feels more like political expediency than principle.
In January 2025, Bass jetted to Ghana for a presidential inauguration while Southern California faced wildfire risks. The Palisades Fires erupted on January 7, and photos showed Bass at a cocktail party hosted by the U.S. ambassador as evacuation orders were issued. She returned on January 8, but the damage was done.
Bass later admitted her absence was a mistake, saying, “I felt terrible not being here for my city.” Her spokesperson claimed she was on calls with Los Angeles during the Ghana event. Optics, however, tell a different story. Not to mention, during her campaign, she vowed not to travel internationally while holding this post.
Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley blasted Bass for underfunding and understaffing the department during the wildfires. Crowley said budget cuts left firefighters unable to respond effectively, stating, “We are still understaffed, we’re still under-resourced.” Her candor highlighted systemic failures.
Bass fired Crowley in February 2025, citing her decision to send 1,000 firefighters home as the fires began. Bass claimed those firefighters “could have been on duty,” but critics argue her budget priorities set the stage for disaster. Accountability, it seems, flows uphill.
Bass’s office insists she’s reducing crime and homelessness while leading a swift disaster recovery. Yet, with riots, scandals, and wildfires defining her tenure, conservatives see a mayor overwhelmed by her own choices. Los Angeles deserves better than a leader stumbling from one crisis to the next.
