Wildfires have left scars across Los Angeles, and President Donald Trump is heading there this Friday to see the damage firsthand. But his visit isn’t just about surveying the devastation—it’s wrapped in an ongoing spat with California Governor Gavin Newsom over how the state has handled the crisis and the federal aid it’s received.
In a chat with Fox News’ Sean Hannity on Wednesday, Trump outlined his plan: “I’m stopping in North Carolina first. Those people were treated very badly by Democrats, and they’re still recovering from Hurricane Helene, which hit back in September. We’re going to fix that. Afterward, I’ll be heading to California.”
Though Trump’s official schedule hadn’t been announced by Thursday night, Gov. Newsom confirmed he’d be there to greet the president at the airport.
A Battle Over Disaster Aid and Management
Trump hasn’t held back his criticism of California’s forest and water management policies, even suggesting that federal disaster funding should come with strings attached. “I don’t think we should give California anything until they let water flow down,” Trump told Hannity, referring to his belief that water restrictions, aimed at protecting the delta smelt (an endangered fish), have affected Los Angeles’ water supply.
California officials strongly disagree. Experts like Ashley Overhouse, a water policy adviser for the conservation group Defenders of Wildlife, have debunked Trump’s claims. Overhouse pointed out that even the strictest protections for the delta smelt, under the Obama administration, only accounted for about 1.2% of additional water outflow.
Efforts to Rebuild and Prevent Future Catastrophes
Amid the political back-and-forth, the House passed the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act on Thursday. This new legislation aims to tackle wildfire prevention and recovery. Here’s what it brings to the table:
- Clearer Reimbursement for Fire Departments: Departments will know how much and when they’ll be reimbursed for firefighting costs.
- Post-Fire Recovery Support: Resources to help affected communities rebuild.
- Improved Fire Prediction and Assessment: Enhanced data to identify and mitigate high-risk areas.
- Streamlined Environmental Reviews: Quicker, more cost-effective forest management processes.
- An Interagency Coordination Center: Support for state and local governments to better manage forests and prevent fires.
Community Support in Action
Meanwhile, ABC News has launched its #SoCalStrong campaign, shining a spotlight on the impacted communities and raising funds for fire victims. Coverage will span multiple ABC programs, keeping the nation informed and engaged in recovery efforts.
While the president’s visit and the ongoing debates continue to grab headlines, the real story lies in the resilience of communities, the efforts to rebuild, and the push for lasting solutions to prevent such disasters in the future.
