Embattled LA Mayor Who Was Jetting Back From Africa When Wildfires Began Once Said She Would Not Go Abroad

Democratic Mayor Karen Bass once said during her 2021 mayoral campaign that she would not travel overseas while in office.

Bass traveled to Ghana to attend the inauguration of Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama as flames and high winds devastated Los Angeles. The now-mayor assured The New York Times during an Oct. 17, 2021, interview that if she were elected, she would only travel to major cities across the U.S. rather than other countries.

“ot only would I of course live here, but I also would not travel internationally — the only places I would go would be D.C., Sacramento, San Francisco and New York, in relation to L.A.,” Bass told the Times.

Aside from Ghana, Bass’ public schedule shows that she has traveled outside of the U.S. at least four times in the past year at taxpayers’ expense, including one trip to Mexico, where she attended the inauguration of President Claudia Sheinbaum and three times to Paris, France, for the 2024 Olympic Games, according to the Times.

Californians have become outraged by Bass’ travel during the fires, which have so far resulted in at least 24 deaths and an estimated 12,000 homes, businesses and schools being destroyed. Neighborhoods and communities have been left devastated by the wildfires, leaving 150,000 people displaced.