Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., has sharply criticized Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Gov. Gavin Newsom for what he describes as a nearly yearlong delay in providing documents related to the 2025 Palisades Fire. Scott stated that the delay suggests a prioritization of political ambitions over public accountability.
"When government fails and harms the American people, the public deserves answers. We’re going to get them," Scott told the California Post. He and Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., launched a congressional investigation into the wildfire in September 2025, following the blaze that destroyed thousands of homes, caused billions in damage, and resulted in 12 fatalities.
The investigation seeks records pertaining to California's wildfire preparedness and response. Requests have been sent to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and city officials, covering areas such as emergency preparations, staffing, water supplies, evacuation plans, and after-action reports. Scott indicated that his office has accused Bass of stalling the release of these documents.
One request specifically asked the LAFD about its preparations for the fire, firefighter and equipment deployment, communications with the offices of Bass and Newsom, and the drafting of the department's after-action report. "Senator Johnson and I have been requesting documents for nearly a year, and despite the delays, we are not going to take our foot off the gas," Scott asserted.
Scott's office claims that Bass and Newsom have "stonewalled" the investigation, though specific details about the inquiry's current status were not provided. A preliminary report from LADWP in July 2025 identified issues with critical water systems during the fires, including instances of fire hydrants losing pressure. Scott and Johnson subsequently sought records concerning these water system failures and the city's overall response.
Bass has faced significant scrutiny regarding her handling of the wildfires, with criticism directed at the city's pre-deployment strategy and the pace of recovery efforts. Allegations have surfaced in reports and legal filings suggesting that the mayor's office attempted to influence the Palisades Fire after-action report to mitigate the city's liability for perceived shortcomings in pre-deployment, claims that Bass has denied.
In November 2025, the senators held a field hearing in Pacific Palisades titled "Forgotten After the Flames: Stories from the Palisades Fire," where survivors and local leaders shared their experiences and ongoing recovery challenges. The investigation has extended into 2026.
Scott’s criticism comes as congressional Republicans have intensified their scrutiny of California officials. House Republicans are also examining Bass's management of Los Angeles' homelessness crisis, with a hearing planned by the House Oversight Committee's Delivering on Government Efficiency subcommittee to review federal homelessness funding in the city, despite Bass's decision not to appear.
The Palisades Fire officially began on January 1, 2025, and rapidly spread amid severe Santa Ana winds on January 7, 2025. The fire ultimately burned over 23,000 acres and destroyed more than 6,800 structures. The ongoing wildfire investigation continues to pose a political challenge for California's Democratic leadership. Bass is currently campaigning for reelection as mayor, while Newsom is nearing the end of his second term as governor and has been the subject of speculation regarding a potential 2028 presidential bid.