On Wednesday, amidst the charred ruins of Altadena, Mel Gibson, the Oscar-adorned versatile talent who recently lost his Malibu mansion to the devastating Palisades Fire, took to a podium to vent his frustration with political leaders. With a particular focus on Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Gibson lambasted their handling of the catastrophe that wiped out countless homes and claimed 29 lives.
Addressing the gathering, Gibson recounted, "Last week witnessed one of the most pathetic and despicable sights I have ever beheld—Mayor Bass relieving Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley of her duties over the blaze response." Bass had cited Crowley's oversight, claiming that 1,000 firefighters who could have been on duty when the fires erupted were instead sent home. Gibson expressed disbelief at this handling, accusing Bass of merely shifting the blame.
"In a desperate bid to deflect culpability from herself, Karen Bass sacrificed the fire chief, casting her aside for daring to speak the truth about department defunding and resource scarcity," Gibson fumed to the assembly of reporters and residents, as captured in videos from the event.
Joining Randy Economy and Bishop J.C. Mendez at the press conference organized by Saving California, the trio discussed the next steps in recovering from the L.A. wildfires. The event also served as a platform for conservative efforts to recall Newsom, a campaign spearheaded by Economy.
Gibson's fury continued, "My fellow citizens who lost their homes have no recourse, no insurance payouts because carriers foresaw California's unpreparedness and scarce resources to combat these inevitable fires. They knew it. So, how can we believe our elected officials didn't? Of course, they did."
Turning his attention back to Bass, Gibson recounted, "Days before fleeing town, Mayor Bass tweeted about the perilous danger levels. Driving through the Pacific Coast Highway and my neighborhood, I witnessed the heart-wrenching sight of my friends' and neighbors' homes reduced to toxic, smoldering ruins, much like here in Altadena."
Amidst applause from residents and attendees, Gibson exited the press conference, accepting congratulations for speaking out as his SUV departed. Shortly thereafter, a dramatic scene unfolded as Bishop J.C. Mendez was wheeled out on a stretcher, escorted by professionals and police, with social media claims suggesting he had suffered a heat stroke, adding an unsettling climax to an already intense day.
