The Institutional Discourse of Authorities and Firefighting Services in Political Cartoons: 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires

In times of crisis, public perception of institutional effectiveness is often crystallized and contested in the media. Political cartoons, as potent polycode texts, offer a unique lens through which to analyze these social processes. The article examines the formation of a metaphorical image of a professional in emergency situations and natural disasters, as reflected in political cartoons featuring the Los Angeles wildfires in January 2025. The study utilises a comprehensive dataset of 140 English-language political cartoons sourced from various news outlets and social media platforms. Adopting a multimodal critical discourse analysis framework, the authors systematically examine the correlation between verbal components (captions, labels) and non-verbal elements (iconic imagery, symbolism) to decode the cartoons’ pragmatic meanings. The results reveal a stark binary opposition in the portrayal of the two professional groups. Politicians are predominantly depicted negatively through recurring metaphors of arsonist, entertainer, film antagonist, and fanning the flame, suggesting incompetence, malicious intent, and a profound disconnect from the tragedy. On the other hand, firefighters are consistently glorified as heroic figures through metaphors of divinity (angels) and action hero, embodying self-sacrifice and competence. However, they are also portrayed as marginalized victims of institutional failure, facing equipment shortages and a lack of support. The cinematographic metaphor was notably prevalent in the dataset, a finding attributed to the event’s Hollywood location and its dramatic media coverage. It is concluded that political cartoons serve as a crucial vehicle for social critique, translating complex institutional failures into accessible and powerful narratives that significantly influence public opinion. The findings provide a framework for further comparative studies of political cartoons surrounding emergencies and the semiotics of crisis communication in other socio-political spheres.