Emails Reveal LA Mayor Bass Controlled Palisades Fire Messaging

Bass accused of orchestrating LAFD's public response and watering down critical details in after-action report

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has been accused of masterminding the city's media response after the catastrophic Palisades fire, including advising the fire department to limit interviews that could invite "challenging questions." An investigation also found that the final version of the Palisades After-Action Fire Report was significantly modified from the original draft, with contentious terms like "wind" removed and the executive summary's reference to the mayor's office commissioning the report deleted.

Why it matters

The revelations raise concerns about political influence over the public messaging and transparency around the Palisades fire, which destroyed nearly 7,000 homes. The mayor's office's involvement in shaping the fire department's response and the after-action report has drawn criticism over potential efforts to downplay or obscure issues that reflect poorly on the city's handling of the disaster.

The details

Emails obtained by the California Post show that a Bass aide told the LAFD that more interviews with the fire chief "could invite a high volume of challenging questions" and would be "contingent on the Mayor's direction." The mayor's office has acknowledged its involvement, with an aide saying Bass customarily has a hand in every city department. However, the aide denied that the mayor sought to "soften critiques" in the report. The original 92-page draft of the Palisades After-Action Fire Report was 22 pages longer than the final 70-page version released in January, with changes including the removal of references to insufficient resources and the department's attempts to be "fiscally responsible."

  • The Palisades fire occurred in 2026.
  • The original 92-page draft of the Palisades After-Action Fire Report was obtained by the California Post.
  • The final 70-page version of the report was released in January 2026.

The players

Karen Bass

The mayor of Los Angeles who has been accused of orchestrating the city's media response to the Palisades fire and influencing the contents of the after-action report.

Yusef Robb

A Bass aide who told the LA Times that the mayor's office engages with every city department on issues large and small, including the fire department's response to the Palisades fire.

Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD)

The fire department that responded to the Palisades fire and was advised by the mayor's office on its public messaging and the contents of the after-action report.

California Post

The news outlet that obtained the original draft of the Palisades After-Action Fire Report and revealed the significant changes made in the final version.

Los Angeles Times

The news outlet that reported on the mayor's office's involvement in the LAFD's response to the Palisades fire.

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What they’re saying

“From Animal Services to the Zoo, the Mayor's Office is in contact with every city department on issues large and small, and so obviously and appropriately the Mayor's Office engaged with LAFD about the rollout of the report.”

— Yusef Robb, Bass aide (Los Angeles Times)

“What did not happen is the illogical and false assertion that the Mayor sought to soften critiques in a report that she herself demanded and on issues of which she has been publicly critical for more than a year.”

— Yusef Robb, Bass aide (Los Angeles Times)

What’s next

The mayor's office's involvement in shaping the fire department's response and the after-action report is expected to face further scrutiny and investigation by local and state authorities.

The takeaway

The revelations about Mayor Bass's control over the messaging and content of the Palisades fire report raise serious concerns about political interference in the transparency and accountability around a major disaster. This case highlights the need for independent oversight and robust public reporting on emergency response and recovery efforts, especially when they involve significant loss of property and potential failures in preparedness or resource allocation.