California Democrat stuns CNN host with disturbing theory about LA fires

A California Democratic congresswoman stunned a CNN anchor after she suggested that Los Angeles authorities deliberately set fire to a historically black neighborhood.

Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove called for a “major investigation” into the wildfires and seemed to imply that the fires in the Altadena suburb were deliberately set, prompting CNN’s Sara Sidner to quickly ask her for clarification.

“Congresswoman, did you just say ‘sacrifice’ Altadena?” she asked.

“Are you implying in any way that this was done on purpose? … there are a lot of conspiracies going around.”

After Sidner compared Kamlager-Dove’s comments to actor Mel Gibson’s arson theories, she clarified, “I am not suggesting arson.” There are some initial investigations into whether this was caused by an electrical fire.

“But what we do know is that power has been shut off in Altadena, and what we do know is that residents have not been given sufficient time to evacuate their homes.”

Sidner countered that officials previously told CNN that power had been shut off in some areas because they were concerned it would “increase the fire risk.”

Kamlager-Love’s comments come amid mounting pressure on California leaders to explain a series of shortcomings in the state’s response to the fires, including a lack of water at fire hydrants and cuts to the state’s budget. fire brigade.

The congressman called for an investigation into California’s response to the fires, saying it would be critical to get to the bottom of “what went wrong.”

“For example, I and the CBC, the Congressional Black Caucus, are curious to know who decided to sacrifice Altadena, a historically Black community in the LA County area,” she continued.

“There is no reason why only two-fifths of people whose homes burned down had insurance, and why businesses are leaving California and other disaster-prone states in droves.”

The Democrat referred to research into several insurance companies that canceled policies in the time before the fires started.

In an example cited by Fox NewsState Farm canceled more than 72,000 home and apartment insurance policies in the months before the fires, leaving many uninsured when the disaster struck this month.

The issue has been blamed by some on California state laws, with Richard Giller, a Los Angeles-based fire insurance expert, telling Fox that lawmakers have driven insurers out of the state by refusing to allow them to raise premium costs.

“So the insurance companies were trying to get approval for rate increases and the California Department of Insurance and the insurance commissioner decided, you know, they didn’t want homeowners to pay more money,” he said.

“It all came to a head when seven of the 12 largest insurance companies withdrew from the state.”

It comes amid mounting pressure on Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom following the state’s bumbling response to the crisis.

In new photos revealed this week, Bass was seen enjoying a cocktail party at the U.S. Embassy in Ghana just as the devastating Palisades fire broke out.

Bass posed with other dignitaries at a post-inauguration party on January 7, honoring John Mahama as Ghana’s new president.

By the time she left the party for her flight home, huge plumes of smoke had already blanketed large parts of Los Angeles, reports the LA times.

Bass left for Ghana after the National Weather Service issued warnings about conditions that ultimately resulted in historic fire outbreaks.

When Bass was questioned by reporters upon her return, she later claimed at a press conference that “although I was not physically here, I was in contact with many of the people standing here the entire time.”

Bass quickly faced criticism after returning to the United States, when city officials condemned her for cutting the Los Angeles Fire Department’s budget by more than $17 million in her last budget.

Since then, a litany of failures by LA city officials have also come to light, with fire hydrants found without water and power lines left on to fan the flames.

On her return to the airport, Bass suffered a humiliating moment when she was left in stunned silence as she was peppered with questions from a Sky News reporter.

“Do you owe the citizens an apology for being absent while their houses were burning?” they asked.

As the mayor stood stony-faced, the reporter continued, “Do you regret cutting the fire department’s budget by millions of dollars, Madam Mayor? Have you nothing to say today?’

Still without getting any answer, the reporter asked again, “Do you have absolutely nothing to say to the citizens today?” Elon Musk says you are completely incompetent. Are you reconsidering your position?’

The issue of Bass’ resignation has been fueled in recent days, with California Governor Gavin Newsom also facing calls to step aside over the state’s apparent lack of preparedness.

A Change.org petition demanding Bass’ resignation has gathered more than 140,000 signatures, “due to her gross mismanagement and failure to effectively respond to the devastating fires of 2025 in and around the City of Los Angeles.”

“Despite the tireless efforts of our first responders, the city has been woefully unprepared to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents. Basic services, such as water and emergency services, have been inadequate, and leadership is nowhere to be found when it is needed most,” the fundraiser said.

To recall Bass, advocates must collect signatures from at least 15% of the city’s registered voters.

Newsom previously survived a recall in 2021, but his handling of the crisis has also led to renewed efforts to remove him from office and a formal recall initiative against him was also launched this week.