California Democrat stuns CNN host with disturbing theory about LA fires

A California Democrat congresswoman stunned a CNN anchor after suggesting Los Angeles authorities deliberately let a historically-black neighborhood burn. 

Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove called for a 'full-scale investigation' into the wildfires and seemed to imply that blazes in the Altadena suburb were set on purpose, prompting CNN's Sara Sidner to quickly prompt her for clarification. 

'Congresswoman, did you just say 'sacrifice' Altadena?' she asked. 

'Are you suggesting somehow that this was done on purpose?... there are a lot of conspiracies out there.' 

After Sidner likened Kamlager-Dove's comments to arson theories raised by actor Mel Gibson, she clarified: 'I am not suggesting arson. There are some initial investigations about if an electrical fire started this. 

'But what we do know is that power was shut off in Altadena, and what we do know is that residents were not given adequate time to leave their homes.' 

Sidner countered that officials previously told CNN that power was shut off in some areas because they were worried 'it was going to create more fire danger.' 

Kamlager-Love's remarks come amid mounting pressure on California leaders to explain a series of failings in the state's response to the fires, including a lack of water at fire hydrants and the fire department's budget being slashed. 

The congresswoman called for an investigation into California's response to the fires, saying it would be vital to get to the bottom of 'what went wrong.' 

'I and the CBC, the Congressional Black Caucus, for example, are curious about who decided to sacrifice Altadena, a historically black community in the LA County area,' she continued. 

'There is no reason why only 2/5 of the folks who had their houses burned down were insured, and why companies are leaving California in droves, as well as other disaster-prone states.' 

The Democrat was referencing scrutiny on several insurance firms who cancelled policies in the time before the fires started. 

In one example cited by Fox News, State Farm cancelled over 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's state laws, with Los Angeles fire insurance expert Richard Giller telling Fox that lawmakers drove insurers from the state by refusing to allow them to increase premium costs. 

'So the insurance companies tried to seek 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 with seven of the 12 largest insurance companies pulling out of the state.' 

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

In new photos revealed this week, Bass was seen enjoying a cocktail party at the US Embassy in Ghana at the exact moment the devastating Palisades fire was erupting. 

Bass was seen posing alongside other dignitaries at a post-inauguration party on January 7, celebrating John Mahama as the new president of Ghana. 

By the time she left the party for her flight home, huge plumes of smoke had already covered large swaths of Los Angeles, reports the LA Times. 

Bass left for Ghana after the National Weather Service issued warnings about conditions which ultimately ended in historic blazes erupting.

When questioned by reporters upon her return, Bass later claimed at a press conference that 'although I wasn't physically here, I was in touch with many of the individuals standing here throughout the entire time. 

Bass was quickly met with criticism after she arrived back in the United States, as city officials slammed her for slashing the Los Angeles Fire Department budget by over $17 million in her latest budget.

A litany of failures by LA city officials have also since been uncovered, as fire hydrants were found without any water and electricity to power cables was left on to fuel the flames.

Upon her return at the airport, Bass suffered a humiliating moment as she was left in stunned silence while being peppered with questions from a Sky News reporter.

'Do you owe citizens an apology for being absent while their homes were burning?' they asked.

As the mayor remained stone-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 receiving any answer, the reporter asked once again: 'Have you absolutely nothing to say to the citizens today? Elon Musk says that you're utterly incompetent. Are you reconsidering your position?'

The question of Bass resigning has been fueled in recent days, with California Governor Gavin Newsom also facing calls to step aside for the state's apparent lack of preparedness.

A Change.org petition demanding Bass's resignation has reached over 140,000 signatures, 'due to her gross mismanagement and failure to effectively respond to the devastating 2025 fires 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 resources, such as water and emergency services, have been inadequate, and leadership has been nowhere to be found when it was needed most,' the fundraiser said.

To recall Bass, proponents must gather signatures from at least 15% of the registered voters in the city.

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