In Times of Crisis, Let the Experts Lead

Chris Lewis wrote an article a week or so back that really resonated with me. He captured something crucial about the challenges police face during high-profile investigations: the interference of political agendas and the insatiable thirst for public answers before the evidence is even cold. While his focus was on mass murder investigations, I couldn’t help but see parallels in the ongoing crisis in Los Angeles, where leadership distractions are hampering operations—this time, for firefighters battling unprecedented wildfires.

Lewis highlighted the disruptive role of politics in critical operational responses, where the focus should be on the work at hand: saving lives, collecting evidence, and stopping further harm. Politicians, eager for the spotlight, often monopolize press conferences and muddy the waters with premature theories and unnecessary commentary. It’s a dangerous distraction. Investigators don’t need to answer political questions about immigration status or party blame when lives are on the line. The same principle applies to the wildfire crisis in Los Angeles.

Let’s look at the facts. Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley has been vocal about the strain her department is under, pointing directly to a $17 million budget cut that has left critical civilian positions unfilled and essential equipment out of service. These budget decisions are not abstract; they’re directly impacting the city’s ability to fight fires, perform brush clearance inspections, and respond to emergencies at full capacity. Yet, as Chief Crowley sounds the alarm, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has downplayed the connection between the budget cuts and the current crisis, insisting the reductions haven’t hindered operations.

But Crowley’s words tell a different story: “We can no longer sustain where we are. We do not have enough firefighters.” Over 100 fire apparatuses are out of service. The department’s ability to repair equipment and maintain operations has been severely impacted by these budgetary constraints. How do you reconcile that reality with a mayor’s insistence that the cuts haven’t hurt? It’s a classic case of political downplaying at a time when we need accountability and clarity.

What makes this worse is the timing of Mayor Bass’s recent overseas trip to Ghana while fires raged in Los Angeles. Her absence, though explained as part of a U.S. delegation, drew sharp criticism as Angelenos faced the most destructive fire in the city’s history. Over 25,000 acres burned, thousands of structures were destroyed, and multiple lives (and absolutely more to come) have been lost. Bass defended her actions, claiming she was in constant contact with officials, but the optics of her absence—combined with her downplaying of the fire department’s operational challenges—speak volumes about misplaced priorities.

As Chris pointed out in his article, politicians need to understand their role during crises. Their job isn’t to micromanage or monopolize press conferences. It’s to support the experts and ensure they have the resources they need to do their jobs effectively. When Chris writes about the frustration of police being sidetracked by political agendas, I hear Chief Crowley’s voice echoing the same sentiment: let us do our job. Budget cuts and political posturing shouldn’t overshadow the life-and-death work of first responders.

The most troubling part of all this is the refusal to acknowledge responsibility. It’s one thing to make tough budget decisions in challenging times; it’s another to pretend those decisions don’t have consequences. The LAFD reported in December that these cuts were impairing their ability to mitigate fire risks and respond effectively to emergencies. Yet, when faced with this evidence, the political response has been denial, deflection, and defense.

What’s needed now is honest leadership. Leadership that acknowledges the strain these cuts have placed on critical operations. Leadership that puts ego aside and prioritizes the needs of the people—and the professionals risking their lives to protect them. It’s time for our leaders to step back from the microphone and let the experts take center stage. As Chris so aptly wrote, the role of elected officials in these moments should be to express empathy, provide unwavering support, and let the professionals do what they do best.

As we watch the ongoing wildfire crisis in Los Angeles, it’s worth remembering that operational integrity depends on clear, focused leadership—not political grandstanding. Let’s hold our leaders accountable to that standard.