President Donald Trump visited California on Friday to assess the damage caused by the deadly wildfires that ravaged multiple communities in the Los Angeles area earlier this month.
This visit, marking the end of Trump's first week back in office, came as he continued to criticize the state’s emergency response under Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, one of his staunchest critics. There are concerns that the president may withhold federal aid due to the state’s policies.
Despite the political rivalry, Newsom greeted Trump on the tarmac as he emerged from Air Force One, arriving from North Carolina where he toured damage from Hurricane Helene, which rocked the western part of the state in September.
Trump's visit came as new fires ignited in southern California, and local officials continue to contend with dry and windy weather conditions that favour fire growth.
Map of Los Angeles area wildfires
Speaking to reporters after shaking hands with Newsom, Trump said: "I appreciate the governor coming out and meeting me".
"We want to get it fixed," he continued, telling Newsom that aftermath looks "like you got hit by a bomb".
Newsom, who Trump has nicknamed "Newscum", then thanked Trump for coming to visit, telling him: "We're going to need your support, we're going to need your help".
"You were there for us during Covid, I don't forget that, and I have all the expectations that we'll be able to work together to get this speedy recovery," Newsom continued.
Trump then toured the ruins of Pacific Palisades neighbourhood with his wife Melania, and then attended a roundtable discussion with local leaders, including LA Mayor Karen Bass. He vowed to sign an executive order that would pump water from northern parts of the state to the south.
He quarrelled briefly with Mayor Bass after she said that residents must be patient - because clean-up crews need time to clear "hazardous waste" such as toxic ash from things like lead, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and asbestos - before they can return to their homes.
"What's hazardous waste? I mean, you're going to have to define that," Trump remarked, adding: "I just think you have to allow the people to go on their site and start the process tonight."
New blazes - named Laguna, Sepulveda, Gibbel, Gilman and Border 2 - flared up on Thursday in the counties of Los Angeles, San Diego, Ventura and Riverside - all in southern California.
Firefighters have made progress in bringing the 10,000-acre Hughes Fire in Los Angeles under control, containing it by 79% since it broke out on Wednesday, forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate.
Fires have devastated the US state over the last few weeks, with the Palisades and Eaton fires scorching a combined total of more than 37,000 acres and killing at least 28 people. Multiple neighbourhoods have been levelled, leaving more than 10,000 homes and businesses in ashes.
Source: BBC
BDST: 1237 HRS, JAN 25, 2025
SMS
