Recall Efforts Grow Against Governor Newsom, L.A. Mayor Bass

The recall efforts against both Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass progressed this week, over their respective mismanagement of the Southern California wildfires.

Since January 7th, Los Angeles County has been devastated by several wildfires blazing in different areas of the county. This includes the Palisades Fire, which has burned around 23,700 acres and has resulted in 11 deaths, with over 105,000 evacuated, and 6,528 destroyed structures; and the Eaton Fire, which is currently over 14,100 acres and has caused 17 deaths, over 100,000 evacuated, and 9,418 destroyed structures. In addition, the Palisades fire is currently at about 68% containment, with Eaton at about 91% containment.

For over two weeks, blame for the mismanagement of the wildfires has largely fallen on both Governor Newsom and LA Mayor Bass. While Newsom was initially praised for leading the charge against the fires in lieu of Bass’ absence, goodwill rapidly evaporated as the full scope of the destruction was exposed. The Governor’s announcement that he was rolling back “red tape” and “bureaucratic nonsense” regulations, including CEQA requirements, environmental regulations, and tough permitting processes, highlighted the huge amount of government red tape involved with construction and businesses in the state. Many people who lost homes discovered for the first time in the past few weeks just how strict California regulations are in the state.

His unpreparedness in dealing with the wildfires was the final straw for many, leading to a recall effort mounted against him. First announced last week by Saving California, a formal announcement on the start of another recall against Newsom has now been scheduled for Thursday. The press conference for the recall effort will be held in Los Angeles, where Saving California will gather the required 50 signatures needed for the notice-of-intent-to-recall. A preview of the intent to recall notice was released by the group on Wednesday, highlighting Newsom’s multiple failures in dealing with the fires and on other issues.

“The grounds for this recall are as Follows: Gavin Newsom’s tenure has been marked by a series of catastrophic failures that directly impact our daily lives,” the notice says. “His gross mismanagement during the Los Angeles County fires, with inadequate resources and delayed responses, left communities devastated. Under his watch, we’ve seen an unbearable rise in the cost of living – from gasoline to electricity to insurance. Crime rates have soared, with policies seemingly more lenient on offenders than on ensuring our safety. Homelessness has become a visible crisis on our streets, reflecting a failure in meaningful action. The drug epidemic rages on, and border issues remain unaddressed, straining our resources further. Despite our high tax contributions, there’s little to show for it; our funds are misallocated to political agendas rather than our pressing needs. This recall is our call for leadership that prioritizes Californians’ safety, affordability, and well-being over political games. It’s time for change.”

Saving California Chairman Randy Economy further noted that the recall attempt was not a political maneuver, as it goes beyond the wildfires.

“This recall isn’t a political maneuver – we’re seeing lifelong Democrats join our cause because Governor Newsom has failed every Californian, regardless of party,” Economy said. “When families can’t afford groceries, when businesses are fleeing the state, and when our streets are unsafe, that’s not a partisan issue. This recall is different because Newsom himself is different – he’s become completely disconnected from the reality of everyday Californians struggling to survive in the state he’s mismanaging.”

Trouble ahead for Newsom and Bass

Things also turned against Mayor Bass, even more this week. Since January 7th, Bass has received significant criticism over her handling of the wildfire emergency, leading many to call for both her resignation, and a recall effort started against her. Amongst Bass’ many criticisms tied to the fires include her cutting $17.5 million from the LAFD  in the 2024-2025 city budget, deciding to travel abroad in January despite knowing that a major emergency could happen with high speed winds being expected, giving a minimal response to the fires on the first day, refusing to answer press questions, having promised to never travel abroad as Mayor yet doing it anyway, and showing an overall general mismanagement of the fires once she returned to L.A.

She has even admitted that she has made some errors in handling the wildfire situation. In a CBS interview last week, Bass noted that going to Ghana was a mistake. When asked “Looking back, would you have taken that trip overseas?” she responded with a curt “No.”

While a formal recall notice like Newsom’s has yet to be levied against her, multiple groups are currently exploring their options and what the requirements would be for a recall attempt to work. Calls for her resignation have continued to climb as well, with an online petition now touting over 161,000 signatures from Los Angeles voters wanting her to leave office.

“Hate for Bass is still very strong over two weeks after the fires began,” added former lobbyist Harry Schultz to the Globe on Wednesday. “So many Angelinos want her gone and to be held accountable for the fires. Her recall attempt hasn’t happened quite yet since there really wasn’t an effort going before the fires unlike Newsom’s. So it needs to be built up. There’s also the question of which group will take the lead on it. Will it be Saving California too, or will it be a more local group?

“What is for certain is that the fires are harming both of their careers right now. Newsom is scrambling, because he knows his 2028 Presidential run is on the line right now. His response to the fires will definitely be scrutinized in the next several years. I mean, look at how much maskgate hurt him back during COVID. And then Bass, well, she is fighting to save her legacy. She’s had a distinguished career for decades, and right now, she will just be known as the Mayor who let Los Angeles burn. That will be her footnote in history if she doesn’t do anything. Resigning would just seal that.”