Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass dismissed questions about any “bigotry” between the new Trump administration and California that could hinder efforts to fight the many wildfires raging in Los Angeles County.
Trump has sharply criticized leaders in Los Angeles and California for their response to the wildfires, saying the city and state were woefully unprepared.
Bass said Sunday she was “not concerned” about any alleged animosity between Trump and local officials and said she had been in contact with his team.
DEAD TOLL IN CALIFORNIA FIRES CRISES TO 16: LA DOCTOR
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said there is no animosity between President-elect Trump and the city. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
Trump announced on Sunday’s Truth Social that “incompetent pollsters” have no idea how to put out the fires in LA. He previously accused California Governor Gavin Newsom of caring more about protection of endangered fish species but to protect the inhabitants of the state from forest fires.
The new president has long opposed Democrats in California for limiting the availability of water for California residents that comes from the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers in the northern part of the state.
California Governor Gavin Newsom and President-elect Trump have clashed over a variety of issues, including the recent wildfires in Los Angeles County. (Getty/AP)
Newsom and Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger made separate calls for Trump to visit the region and see the devastation fires caused.
“I joined the call for the next president to come to Los Angeles,” Bass said during a Sunday news briefing on firefighting efforts. “I joined the superintendent and the governor and spoke directly with the new administration yesterday. It was a good conversation.”
Charred structures are seen in Malibu as the Palisades Fire burns during a storm on the west side of Los Angeles, California, on January 8, 2025. (REUTERS/Ringo Chiu)
She added: “Also, as I mentioned before, there are a few of my former colleagues who are up for confirmation. I feel like I will have good relationships there.”
Bass and Barger said they believe Trump will visit the area.
“I will say, knowing what I know, representing Altadena, which is probably the most diverse community, that in the fifth district, that’s exactly the constituency that he was talking to,” Barger said. “You have socioeconomics from all walks of life, and they are suffering. So I am confident that this president will come.”
The mayor also addressed questions about the alleged lack of communication between the city and the visitors Trump administration.
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“There is no lack of communication between the city of Los Angeles and the incoming Trump administration,” she said. “I spoke with representatives of the new administration. I will talk more about this in the coming days.”
