Video taken on an airport jetway shows Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass repeatedly ignoring questions from a reporter about her response to the wildfires ripping through the area this week.
SkyNews reporter David Blevins on Wednesday published video of Bass during which he peppered her with questions about her response to the blazes, her trip to Africa during the crisis and comments from critics who say she has mishandled the catastrophe.
“Do you owe citizens an apology for being absent while their homes were burning? Do you regret cutting the fire department budget by millions of dollars, Madam Mayor?” Blevins is heard asking her on the video.
Bass says nothing and stares ahead blankly.
“Have you nothing to say today? Have you absolutely nothing to say to the citizens today,” Blevins presser her.
Bass, again, does not respond.
“Elon Musk says that you’re utterly incompetent,” Blevins tells Bass, referencing social media posts from the billionaire and ally to President-elect Trump blaming her and other California Democrats for the blazes.
“Are you considering your position? Madam Mayor, have you absolutely nothing to say to the citizens today who are dealing with this disaster,” Blevins asks Bass, who continues to ignore him. “No apology for them? Do you think you should have been visiting Ghana while this was unfolding back home?”
A representative for the mayor’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
Bass, during a subsequent news conference on Wednesday, told reporters she has been in “constant contact” with fire officials and vowed to build back the area “stronger than ever.”
Thousands of structures have burned and five people have been killed as the flames continue to engulf the Los Angeles area.
