Los Angeles mayoral race upended by allegations Karen Bass altered fire report
Transparency shouldn't be controversial.
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.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass stands during a press conference after a tunnel collapsed on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
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.
The latest developments could significantly alter the June 2 primary election.
Bass has consistently denied any role in altering the after-action report on the Palisades fire to minimize the city and fire department’s shortcomings. However, sources familiar with the situation revealed that Bass expressed concerns to interim Fire Chief Ronnie Villanueva after reviewing an early draft about possible legal risks if the report were released as written. She allegedly requested that critical findings regarding the Los Angeles Fire Department’s performance be removed or softened before the report was made public, a request that was ultimately fulfilled.
The Los Angeles Times uncovered these changes in a December 2025 investigation. The publication updated its findings when more sources came forward this week.
Individuals close to Bass confirmed …
Transparency shouldn't be controversial.
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.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass stands during a press conference after a tunnel collapsed on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
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.
The latest developments could significantly alter the June 2 primary election.
Bass has consistently denied any role in altering the after-action report on the Palisades fire to minimize the city and fire department’s shortcomings. However, sources familiar with the situation revealed that Bass expressed concerns to interim Fire Chief Ronnie Villanueva after reviewing an early draft about possible legal risks if the report were released as written. She allegedly requested that critical findings regarding the Los Angeles Fire Department’s performance be removed or softened before the report was made public, a request that was ultimately fulfilled.
The Los Angeles Times uncovered these changes in a December 2025 investigation. The publication updated its findings when more sources came forward this week.
Individuals close to Bass confirmed …
Los Angeles mayoral race upended by allegations Karen Bass altered fire report
Transparency shouldn't be controversial.
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.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass stands during a press conference after a tunnel collapsed on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
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.
The latest developments could significantly alter the June 2 primary election.
Bass has consistently denied any role in altering the after-action report on the Palisades fire to minimize the city and fire department’s shortcomings. However, sources familiar with the situation revealed that Bass expressed concerns to interim Fire Chief Ronnie Villanueva after reviewing an early draft about possible legal risks if the report were released as written. She allegedly requested that critical findings regarding the Los Angeles Fire Department’s performance be removed or softened before the report was made public, a request that was ultimately fulfilled.
The Los Angeles Times uncovered these changes in a December 2025 investigation. The publication updated its findings when more sources came forward this week.
Individuals close to Bass confirmed …
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