Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, the owner of the Los Angeles Times, has strongly criticized local officials for their management of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. He has called on voters to prioritize competence over political affiliation in electing leaders.
In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Soon-Shiong expressed frustration with the leadership’s response to the crisis, which has forced thousands to evacuate and caused significant destruction. “Perhaps the lesson from this catastrophe in California is to vote not based on political lines but on actual competence and experience in managing a crisis,” he wrote. “Competence matters.”
Wildfire disaster proves why ‘competence,’ not party, matters in electing leaders: #competence matters. Brentwood evacuating today. Never in LA history has the wildfire destroyed so much and affected so many. Our hearts go out to all Angelenos.Stay safe. https://t.co/NY9gn7raVd
— Dr. Pat Soon-Shiong (@DrPatSoonShiong) January 11, 2025
Advocating for Non-Partisan Governance
Soon-Shiong’s comments align with his broader efforts to reduce partisanship in politics, a philosophy that has shaped his stewardship of the Los Angeles Times. Recently, he announced plans to create a more balanced editorial board and declared that the paper would not endorse any candidate in the upcoming 2024 presidential election.
“My vision is for the paper to be a reliable, middle-ground source of news,” Soon-Shiong stated, emphasizing the importance of fair reporting in a polarized media landscape.
Targeting Leadership Failures
The entrepreneur’s critique included specific grievances about city decisions, particularly the reduction of the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) budget. “Wildfires in LA are sadly predictable, yet funding for the fire department was slashed by millions. Reports of empty fire hydrants during the crisis raise even more questions about preparedness,” he wrote.
While the LAFD budget reduction was ultimately $17 million rather than the $23 million initially proposed, Soon-Shiong underscored the need for a reassessment of priorities to better prepare for recurring disasters.
False Evacuation Alert Adds to Criticism
A false evacuation alert sent to all Los Angeles County residents on Thursday further exacerbated public frustrations. The mass warning, issued late in the afternoon, was quickly retracted and clarified as being meant only for areas near the Kenneth Fire in Calabasas and Agoura Hills.
Soon-Shiong commented on the mishap, labeling it another example of poor crisis management. Officials later explained that the erroneous alert was due to a “technical error,” but the incident fueled public discontent.
Our hearts go out to those who have lost their homes and are seeking shelter. Fires in LA are sadly no surprise, yet the Mayor cut LA Fire Department’s budget by $23M. And reports of empty fire hydrants raise serious questions. Competence matters… Follow @latimes for live…
— Dr. Pat Soon-Shiong (@DrPatSoonShiong) January 8, 2025
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