Vice President Kamala Harris faced a wave of criticism after delivering remarks during a White House briefing on the ongoing wildfires ravaging Los Angeles County. The fires have claimed at least 25 lives, destroyed over 10,000 structures, and scorched more than 27,000 acres, according to local officials. Harris' comments, which urged Californians to remain patient during the crisis, were derided on social media and by public figures as confusing and out of touch.
During the briefing on Monday, Harris spoke alongside President Joe Biden and other administration officials about the federal response to the devastating fires. Addressing the thousands of displaced residents eager to return home, Harris said, "Lots of people who still have a home who are under evacuation order, I know you want to get back home, but this is a time to be patient. There is still so much work that firefighters, police officers, FEMA, and others are doing that is about search and rescue."
The vice president's remarks included a follow-up statement that drew particular scrutiny: "It's critically important that, to the extent you can find anything that gives you an ability to be patient in this extremely dangerous and unprecedented crisis, that you do." Critics swiftly labeled the statement as a "word salad," a term often used to describe her speeches when they lack clarity or meaningful direction.
Social media users reacted strongly. Brent Bozell, president of the Media Research Center, stated, "It's terrifying to think how Kamala would have treated the American people if this is how she treats her home state supporters." Margot Cleveland, a senior legal correspondent for The Federalist, quipped, "Those of you fleeing the fire, the most critical thing for you to pack is your patience."
The backlash highlighted broader frustrations with Harris' communication style and the perceived inadequacy of leadership during the crisis. Critics accused Harris of failing to provide actionable guidance or empathy for those affected. One user on X, formerly known as Twitter, remarked, "Seriously? People lose everything and all she can say is be patient?" Another user wrote, "Every time she says 'critically important,' it turns out to be something completely banal."
The fires have sparked criticism of California's leadership, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, over alleged mismanagement of fire prevention and disaster response. High-profile voices like actor Mel Gibson and former Miss USA Shanna Moakler have called for new leadership, citing the mishandling of the crisis.
President Biden announced that wildfire victims would be eligible for a one-time $770 payment to cover essential items such as water, prescriptions, and temporary shelter. However, the federal response, coupled with Harris' remarks, has done little to assuage public discontent.
Harris' comments also reignited debates over California's disaster preparedness. Critics argue that longstanding mismanagement of resources and policies, including inadequate fire risk mitigation, have exacerbated the frequency and severity of wildfires in the state. Political commentators suggested that Harris' remarks were an attempt to deflect attention from systemic failures.
Despite the criticism, Harris defended the administration's efforts to support affected communities. She emphasized the work being done to restore safety and utilities in the fire-stricken areas. "The work that still needs to be done to ensure the safety around utility lines-this work is still very much in progress," she said.
The wildfires, fueled by extreme winds and parched conditions, have left tens of thousands under evacuation orders, with another 84,000 residents at risk of displacement. The fires' economic toll is estimated to be between $250 billion and $270 billion, making it the costliest wildfire disaster in U.S. history.
