A Senate subcommittee is now investigating whether Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies played a role in the response to the devastating Palisades Fire in Los Angeles. Republican Senators Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Rick Scott of Florida have sent a formal letter to Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson requesting detailed records regarding DEI programs within the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP).
The request, sent Wednesday, outlines a broad set of documents, ranging from disaster evacuation plans to internal communications with council staff. The senators are also seeking information on decisions such as the closure of the Santa Ynez Reservoir.
“This inquiry is intended to understand whether DEI policies impacted the city’s emergency response to the Palisades Fire,” the letter states. “We request full access to all relevant records related to diversity initiatives, internal communications, and operational decisions during fire incidents.”
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Senate subcommittee examines DEI policies’ role in Palisades Fire response.
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Senators Johnson and Scott request L.A. City Council provide all records of diversity programs in LAFD and LADWP.
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Request includes evacuation plans, Santa Ynez Reservoir closure, and internal council communications.
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Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez criticizes the inquiry, stating DEI policies did not cause the fires.
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Eaton Fire included in request despite occurring outside city limits.
Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez reacted strongly to the inquiry. “DEI did not cause the fires, and these senators should take their witch hunts elsewhere,” he said in a statement. Soto-Martinez also pointed out that the request includes the Eaton Fire, which did not occur within Los Angeles city limits.
Local journalists noted the growing interest in the connection between DEI policies and disaster response. “While this inquiry may attract national attention, it is critical to remember that emergency response decisions involve multiple factors,” a spokesperson said.
“The role of DEI in public service operations is a topic of growing discussion,” Soto-Martinez added. “But conflating diversity initiatives with disaster outcomes misrepresents the complexities involved in emergency response.”
The Senate subcommittee’s investigation into the Palisades Fire response could have significant implications for how diversity programs are viewed in public safety departments. The inquiry highlights a nationwide debate about the impact of DEI policies on operational effectiveness, particularly in high-stakes situations such as wildfire management.
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