Recall effort against Newsom underway in California following alleged mishandling of LA fires

SUMMARY

A recall effort against California Governor Gavin Newsom is underway, driven by criticism of his handling of the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. Organizers, including Randy Economy, who led a 2021 recall attempt, accuse Newsom of a series of leadership failures, citing his poor policies on cost of living, crime, homelessness, and his response to the wildfires. The fires have destroyed over 40,000 acres, killed at least 24 people, and displaced thousands. Critics argue Newsom was unprepared despite years in office. Newsom's spokesperson dismissed the recall as 'politically motivated', claiming the governor's focus remains on 'firefighting efforts' and 'recovery'. The recall organizers need to gather about 1.3 million signatures within five months to proceed. Meanwhile, a petition calling for Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass's removal has also gained traction, as she faced backlash for her absence during the fires.