Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass suffered an on-air flub as she attempted to evade a reporter asking about the severe wildfires that have left at least five people dead and countless properties burned.
Bass was attempting to return back to Los Angeles from a trip to Ghana when she was confronted by a SkyNews reporter in an airport.
“Do you owe citizens an apology for being absent whilst their homes were burning?” the reporter asked as Bass struggled to open a locked door at her airport gate.
“Have you nothing to say today? Have you absolutely nothing to say to the citizens today?” the questions continued.
Bass declined to answer the questions and was again confronted by another locked door as she tried to leave through another section of the airport.
“Madam mayor, just a few words for the citizens today as you return?” the reporter said, to no response.
An airport employee came over to unlock the second door and let Bass out onto the tarmac.
Major fires began to break out across Los Angeles County on Tuesday (January 7). Bass was notably absent from press conferences on Tuesday with Los Angeles officials and California Gov. Gavin Newsom. The mayor left for Ghana on Saturday (January 4) to attend the inauguration of John Mahama, the country's new president.
“I’ve been in constant contact with our fire commander, with county, state, and federal officials,” Bass later said during a press conference on Wednesday (January 8) night.
“I took the fastest route back, which included being on a military plane which facilitated our communications. So I was able to be on the phone the entire time of the flight. We are fighting for you and everyone in Los Angeles.”
The Black Information Network is your source for Black News! Get the latest news 24/7 on The Black Information Network. Listen now on the iHeartRadio app or click HERE to tune in live.