LA residents launch petition for Mayor Karen Bass to 'immediately resign' over wildfire response 'failure'

A petition to recall Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass over her "gross mismanagement and failure to effectively respond to the devastating 2025 fires" has hit over 60,000 signatures. This comes as the fires rage on in California in and around the areas of LA.

In a Change.org petition started by LA residents and titled, "Demand the immediate resignation of Mayor Karen Bass," over 62,000 people have signed in order voicing their demand for her to leave the role.

"We, the undersigned residents of Los Angeles and concerned citizens, urgently call for the immediate recall of Mayor Karen Bass due to her gross mismanagement and failure to effectively respond to the devastating 2025 fires in and around the city of Los Angeles," the petition reads.

The petition, which was started on Wednesday, states that the city of Los Angeles was "woefully unprepared" to handle the crisis and provide safety to residents impacted by the fires. "Basic resources, such as water and emergency services, have been inadequate, and leadership has been nowhere to be found when it was needed most," it added.

The petition listed a number of demands in the wake of the fires among the resignation of Bass. Aside from demanding that she resign, the residents called for "a full, transparent investigation into the failures in disaster preparedness, response, and resource allocation that left our city vulnerable." In addition, they called for "accountability" for the mismanaged taxpayer funds that were "intended for disaster relief and recovery."

They also demanded that the city produce a "comprehensive plan for ensuring the safety of all Angelenos" to prevent disasters from happening again. "The people of Los Angeles deserve a leader who is present, accountable, and actively working to protect and serve our community. Mayor Bass's actions—or lack thereof—have shown she is unfit for the office she holds," the petition continues.

Prior to the wildfires, Bass had slashed the LAFD budget by over $17 million and reportedly wanted to cut $49 million more the week before the fires broke out. At least 11 people have died in the fires and around 130,000 Californians have been under evacuation orders.