As communities throughout Los Angeles County burned Wednesday in a spate of wildfires, the disaster highlighted the stark distinction between the incoming and outgoing presidents and their relationships with California.
“We’re prepared to do anything and everything for as long as it takes to contain these fires,” Biden mentioned.
In a submit on his social media website, Fact Social, Trump mentioned the Democratic governor “refused to sign a water restoration declaration,” which he alleged would have allowed hundreds of thousands of gallons of rain and snowmelt to circulate south to the areas on fireplace.
“Now the ultimate price is being paid,” Trump wrote. “I will demand that this incompetent governor allow beautiful, clean, fresh water to FLOW INTO CALIFORNIA!”
Presidents have vast discretion relating to catastrophe support, which might be in jeopardy sooner or later if Trump follows by way of along with his threats after his inauguration.
California and different states obtain most federal wildfire support by way of the Federal Emergency Administration Company, together with direct funds and providers to householders and renters whose properties have been broken, and public help for issues corresponding to search-and-rescue groups, particles elimination and infrastructure restore.
States want to indicate that an incident is of such a severity and magnitude {that a} response is past the state’s functionality so as to qualify. The governor should request, and the president should declare, a serious catastrophe after which approve any support the governor requests.
FEMA decides whether or not a federal catastrophe declaration is warranted and points a advice to the president. Prior to now, presidents have adopted that advice, however there’s nothing within the legislation that requires them to take action.
Trump initially refused to approve federal support to California for wildfires in 2018 till a Nationwide Safety Council staffer confirmed him that Orange County had a dense focus of voters who supported him, in accordance with Politico.
In one other instance, in 2020, FEMA rejected a request to supply support to California for a half-dozen wildfires after which reversed course the subsequent day after Republicans made appeals to Trump and the governor and president spoke over the cellphone.
“I have every expectation that the new administration will assist fellow Americans in moments of vulnerability,” Allen mentioned. “That’s what every White House has done, whether Democrat or Republican, throughout history. There’s no reason why they shouldn’t continue to provide the same level of assistance and service that previous presidents have.”
Trump additionally took pictures at Biden.
“NO WATER IN THE FIRE HYDRANTS, NO MONEY IN FEMA,” he posted. “THIS IS WHAT JOE BIDEN IS LEAVING ME. THANKS JOE!”
Peter Gleick, a hydroclimatologist and senior fellow of the Oakland-based Pacific Institute, mentioned Trump’s feedback making an attempt to hyperlink California water coverage with the water-supply issues dealing with firefighters in Southern California have been “blatantly false, irresponsible and politically self-serving.”
“There is no water shortage in Southern California — the state’s reservoirs are all at, or above, levels normally expected for this time of year. The problem with water supply for the fires is entirely the result of the massive immediate demands for firefighting water, broken or damaged pipes and pumps, and homeowners leaving hoses and sprinklers running in hopes of saving property.”
Workers author Ian James contributed to this report.
