Senator Rick Scott accuses California leaders of delaying Palisades fire documents

In February 2026, Republican Senator Rick Scott publicly rebuked Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom, alleging they have stalled the release of documents tied to the January 2025 Palisades Fire. The fire, which claimed 12 lives and razed over 6,800 structures, prompted Scott and Senator Ron Johnson to start a congressional investigation in September 2025, seeking records on California’s wildfire readiness and response.

Their inquiries targeted the Los Angeles Fire Department, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and various city officials for information on emergency preparations, firefighter deployment, water-system performance and after-action reporting. Scott’s office claims the officials have “stonewalled” the effort, despite a July 2025 preliminary LADWP report highlighting water-system failures. The dispute comes amid broader Republican scrutiny of California’s handling of both the wildfire and homelessness crises, with a House Oversight subcommittee set to hold a hearing on federal homelessness funding. Bass is campaigning for re-election, while Newsom approaches the end of his second term.