Karen Bass Commits to Stay Home: A Bold Move in the LA Mayoral Race

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass previously mentioned to The New York Times in 2021 that she did not intend to travel internationally when she assumed the role of mayor for the city, as the outlet highlighted on Sunday.

Bass expressed in 2021 that should she be elected, “not only would I indeed live here, but I also would refrain from international travel—the only destinations I would visit would be D.C., Sacramento, San Francisco, and New York, in connection to L.A.,” as the Times reported.

Last week, as fires devastated Los Angeles, the mayor was traveling in Ghana, and when she returned, Bass evaded inquiries from journalists regarding her absence.

Previously, Bass held a position in Congress, specifically on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and worked for many years on U.S. relations with Africa, according to the Times.

CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES: VITAL PHONE NUMBERS FOR LOS ANGELES-AREA RESIDENTS AND HOW YOU CAN OFFER ASSISTANCE

Rep. Karen Bass, a contender for Los Angeles mayor, gathers with various notable supporters at Angel’s Point in Elysian Park on May 27, 2022, in Los Angeles, California. ((Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images))

The Times indicated, “That commitment has been dramatically violated.”

Bass has traveled internationally on four occasions since becoming mayor, the Times reported, making one trip to Mexico and three to Paris for the Olympics.

“Do you owe an apology to citizens for your absence while their homes burned? And do you regret slashing the Fire Department budget by millions, Madame Mayor?” Sky News reporter David Blevins questioned as Bass awaited to deplane on Wednesday after her trip to Ghana.

“Do you have nothing to say to the citizens today?” he added.

Bass chose not to respond to the reporter, avoiding questions as she stared at the ground.

“No apology for them? Do you think it was appropriate to be visiting Ghana while this was happening back home?” he inquired.

“The Mayor is intensely focused on two priorities right now – ensuring the safety of Angelenos and safeguarding property. She has secured the federal, state, and local resources necessary to continue combating these fires and is advancing an all-encompassing plan for recovery,” stated Bass spokesperson Zach Seidl in a statement given to Fox News Digital.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE ON MEDIA AND CULTURE

LA Mayor Karen Bass and City Administrative Officer Matt Szabo present the 2024-25 fiscal budget at City Hall. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

Bass has also faced criticism for a social media post in 2021 in which she denounced Sen. Ted Cruz for being away from his state while Texas faced a winter storm.

Bass informed reporters during a press conference on Wednesday that she was engaged in communication with individuals throughout her flight back to LA.

“I was on the phone, on the plane, nearly every hour of the journey,” she mentioned. “So, even though I was not physically present, I was in touch with many individuals who are here the entire time. Upon landing, I went straight to the fire zone and observed the situation in Pacific Palisades.”

CLICK HERE TO OBTAIN THE FOX NEWS APP

Fox News’ Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report.