I have ripped the Los Angeles Times on plenty of occasions because it saddened me over the years to watch the once great newspaper turn into yet another progressive mouthpiece. I cancelled my subscription over a decade ago because of its far-left stance on virtually everything that matters to everyday Americans.
But a funny thing happened on the way to democratic socialism… The outlet has actually produced some quality reporting as of late, especially when it comes to LA Mayor Karen Bass and her disastrous response to the devastating wildfires that ravaged the Pacific Palisades and Altadena neighborhoods of the city.
I’m not sure what she did to them to get on their bad side, but it certainly seems like a coordinated effort to bring her down, the kind you don’t see from them regarding numerous other extremist Golden State politicians like Sen. Adam Schiff, Gov. Gavin Newsom, and failed presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
But now they’ve come out with another bombshell: the Los Angeles County Fire Department was more interested in covering their reputations — and Bass’ — than they were in examining the systemic failures that led to the disaster. Reportedly, an internal memo focused on shaping the media narrative above all else:
The 13-page memo on LAFD letterhead aimed to shape media coverage of the Palisades fire after-action report.
The memo detailed plans to protect Mayor Karen Bass and others from “reputational harm” in connection with the city’s handling of the catastrophic blaze, records obtained by The Times show.
Bass wanted key findings in the after-action report removed or softened, sources told The Times this month. The mayor has said that The Times’ story was “completely fabricated.”
In case anyone doubts that this has been a massive coverup from Day One to deflect liability for the #PalisadesFire, here’s more proof. Mayor Karen Bass, LAFD and the City’s PR firm all had a plan to “protect Mayor Bass, the City and the LAFD from reputational harm” associated… pic.twitter.com/knc2F1C3I6
— 415FirePhoto (@415FirePhoto) February 20, 2026
Mayor Karen Bass, LAFD and the City’s PR firm all had a plan to “protect Mayor Bass, the City and the LAFD from reputational harm” associated with the After-Action-Report even after it was sanitized. Link to full document here
The report, labeled as “for internal use only,” seemed to imply that facts were secondary to the “narrative”:
“It’s our goal to prepare and protect Mayor Bass, the City, and the LAFD from reputational harm associated with the upcoming public release of its AARR, through a comprehensive strategy that includes risk assessment, proactive and reactive communications, and crisis response,” the memo states, referring to the acronym for the LAFD’s report.
The 13-page document is on LAFD letterhead and includes email addresses for department officials, representatives of Bass’ office and public relations consultants hired to help shape messaging about the fire, although it is not known to whom it was eventually distributed. The Times obtained the memo, titled “LAFD AARR: Strategic Response Plan,” from the LAFD through the California Public Records Act.
RedState has already reported on how Bass allegedly tried to soften reports to make herself look better:
SYSTEMIC FAILURE: Bombshell New Report Alleges LA Mayor Bass Watered Down Post-Fire Analysis – GOP Senators Want Answers
LA-Area Fire Chief Mops the Floor With Mayor Karen Bass Over Disastrous Wildfire Response
The more news that comes out, the harder it becomes to escape the thought that it seems like Karen Bass and her cronies have engaged in a long-term, extensive cover-up:
.@jenvanlaar and @spencerpratt confirm what we already knew – there’s a whole lot more to the story than what Karen Bass and Gov. Gruesome have been telling us.
LAFD was told to stand down. pic.twitter.com/kIRIoXquPZ
— Bob Hoge (@Bob_Hoge_CA) October 31, 2025
When an internal memo is written by officials whose sole goal was “to prepare and protect Mayor Bass, the City, and the LAFD from reputational harm,” it’s not hard to have the phrase “organized crime-level corruption” fly through your mind.
Editor’s Note: Gavin Newsom, Karen Bass, and the “progressives” are ruining California.
Help RedState continue bringing you the truth. Join RedState’s VIP and use promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your membership.
