Staff Reports
California State Assemblyman Robert Rivas recently found himself dodging important questions regarding a special legislative session aimed at securing $25 million for the state to brace itself against the inevitable “crisis” of a second Donald Trump administration. With the backdrop of wildfires wreaking havoc on Los Angeles neighborhoods, killing at least five people and destroying countless homes, one would think addressing these dire concerns would take precedence over political maneuvering. Alas, that logic appears lost on California Democrats.
KCRA-TV reporter Ashley Zavala confronted Rivas about the questionable timing of the special session, which coincidentally began shortly after Trump triumphed over Kamala Harris. While residents were grasping with their immediate needs as wildfires blazed on the fringes of their lives, the Assemblyman seemed more interested in preparing for legal fights against the incoming administration rather than coming to the rescue of those affected by the infernos. The question remains: is this really the best use of resources during such a catastrophic moment?
🚨 BRUTAL: The Speaker of the California Assembly – Robert Rivas (D) – has nothing coherent to say when asked why they're doing a special legislative session to prepare to battle Trump in the courts while fires rage on.
REPORTER: Is now the right time?
RIVAS: "Um, so, I'm, you… pic.twitter.com/w8Wli4ffCK
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 10, 2025
In a classic display of political obfuscation, Rivas rambled through a monologue filled with the usual buzzwords, discussing the tragic impact of the wildfires without answering Zavala’s direct question. He sure was “urging” to help, but to many, it sounded more like he was trying to sidestep accountability for his party’s neglect of pressing state issues. With fire roaring all around, the focus didn’t seem to be on fire-fighting supplies or evacuation plans but rather on preparing for a partisan legal battle against Trump.
Rivas’s comments come at a time when Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom conveniently chose to call for an emergency session just two days after the election results. Why prioritize battling Trump instead of the flames engulfing homes? The assemblyman painted a picture of urgency and readiness, claiming they were doing all they could to assist Angelenos, yet many remain skeptical. After all, this was the same state that decided to slash funding to the Los Angeles Fire Department by nearly $20 million, cutting crucial operational supplies that prove essential in times like these.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass was busy globally gallivanting in Ghana while her city was in flames, raising questions about her commitment to keeping constituents safe. Perhaps California’s leadership is more invested in fighting political battles than facing the immediate and tangible crises affecting its citizens. The irony is thick; in a time of chaos, the party that claims to be for the people appeared to be more concerned with partisan posturing. With leaders like Rivas and Bass at the helm, Californians might start to wonder if their safety is really a priority, or just another pawn in the political chess game of the Democrats.
