As Donald Trump prepares to take office again, a trip to Los Angeles is on his itinerary in the wake of the recent devastating wildfires.
Although he confirmed that he had not yet spoken with California Governor Gavin Newsom, the president-elect indicated that he planned to visit “probably, at the end of the week” after his inauguration on Monday, before choosing not to go sooner.
“I was going to go yesterday, but I thought it would be better if I went as president,” Trump told NBC News. “I think it's a bit more convenient.”
Trump blamed the fires on Newsom, who retracted that claim and called on the president-elect to survey the damage. He accused Trump of spreading “false and misleading information that I do not believe helps or helps any of us.”
Newsom added: “In response to Donald Trump’s insults, we will spend another month. I'm familiar with them. “And every elected official who doesn’t agree with him knows them well.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass tour the downtown Pacific Palisades business district as the Palisades Fire continues to burn on January 8, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Eric Thayer/Getty Images)
As of Wednesday, at least 25 people have died in Southern California wildfires. Meanwhile, more than 105,000 people have received mandatory evacuation orders, which are beginning to be lifted. Since the fires broke out, officers have arrested 44 people across the affected areas, including for arson, burglary, breaching the curfew and other violations.
President Joe Biden, who extended his trip to Los Angeles last week to visit first responders and those affected, declared the fires a major disaster and directed the federal government to cover 100% of disaster assistance costs.
