From the Washington Examiner: The Los Angeles mayoral race plunged into chaos this week after a series of dramatic developments: Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass (D) was accused of tampering with a vital wildfire report, a leading challenger abruptly exited the race following a personal tragedy, a new challenger threw his hat into the ring, and Bass’s 2022 opponent hinted at a possible last-minute entry just before the filing deadline.
The turmoil was sparked by a Los Angeles Times report on Feb. 4 that alleged Bass ordered edits to the after-action report on the catastrophic Palisades fire. The report claimed these changes were made to minimize the city and fire department’s failings. The January 2025 fire killed 12 people and destroyed approximately 6,800 structures in Pacific Palisades.
Within a day of the allegations dropping, the landscape in the mayoral contest shifted.
Austin Beutner, former Los Angeles Unified School District superintendent and a vocal Bass critic, withdrew from the race after the sudden death of his 22-year-old daughter. Meanwhile, billionaire developer Rick Caruso, the 2022 runner-up who had previously ruled out a 2026 run, announced he would reconsider a bid in light of the new allegations against Bass. And tech executive-turned-homeless advocate Adam Miller announced he would enter the race. Miller criticized Bass in an interview with the Los Angeles Times, claiming the city is on a downward trajectory, beset by problems, and needs strong leadership at City Hall.
Caruso blasted Bass, writing, “Today’s @latimes report is an absolute outrage. Karen Bass actively covered up a report meant to examine the most significant disaster in Los Angeles history. When it comes to life safety matters, this is no longer a matter of making poor judgement, apologizing and moving forward. This is a complete loss of public trust and an intentional act of covering up the actions that led to people dying. Everyone should read this article and consider what action is warranted. She has completely failed us.”
Today’s @latimes report is an absolute outrage. Karen Bass actively covered up a report meant to examine the most significant disaster in Los Angeles history. When it comes to life safety matters, this is no longer a matter of making poor judgement, apologizing and moving… https://t.co/YT6qL0IIFt
— Rick J. Caruso (@RickCarusoLA) February 4, 2026
After the LA Times alleged that Bass had ordered edits to the report, she went into defense mode, claiming, “there would be no reason” that she would order changes to the report.
🔥 @MayorOfLA @KarenBassLA thinks we are VERY stupid
In her panicked comments to reporters, doubled down on her claim that she didn’t put out a falsified report on the Palisades Fire
“What would be the purpose for covering up a report that I ordered?!”
Maybe saving her career? pic.twitter.com/dRpY5KfFGx
— Houman David Hemmati, MD, PhD (@houmanhemmati) February 6, 2026
Radio host John Kobylt called for Bass to RESIGN.
John called for Mayor Karen Bass @mayorofla to resign from her position & also said there is no way she should be re-elected after the @latimes reported that Mayor Bass was the one who wanted the Palisades Fire after-action report altered! @KFIAM640 pic.twitter.com/d7Rd12OOiP
— The John Kobylt Show (@JohnKobyltRadio) February 5, 2026
For weeks, Mayor Karen Bass has denied that she was involved in altering an after-action report on the Palisades fire to downplay failures by the city & LAFD
But sources say she was concerned about legal liabilities & directed the changeshttps://t.co/x0rIf0ot8S
— Alene Tchekmedyian (@AleneTchek) February 4, 2026
READ MORE from the Washington Examiner.
Follow us on X (Formerly Twitter.)
The DML News App: www.X.com/DMLNewsApp
The Dennis Michael Lynch Podcast archive is available below, with the most recent on top. Never miss an episode. Subscribe to the show by downloading The DML News App or go to Apple Podcasts.
