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| US President Donald Trump is welcomed by California Governor Gavin Newsom at Los Angeles International Airport. Trump was accompanied by his wife Melania. January 24, 2025 | Photo: Reuters |
President Donald Trump arrived in California on Friday, marking his first visit to the state since being sworn in for a second term. During the visit, Trump expressed his commitment to working with California Governor Gavin Newsom to address the devastating wildfires that have engulfed Los Angeles in recent weeks.
Governor Newsom, a Democrat, greeted Trump at Los Angeles Airport upon his arrival. Despite their historically strained relationship, both leaders signaled a willingness to collaborate on wildfire control efforts.
"We're trying to get some work done, and you can get it done by working together with the states. We're going to get it done. They're going to need a lot of federal help," Trump told reporters during the visit.
California has faced severe wildfire outbreaks in recent weeks, with three major fires still burning across the Los Angeles area. Governor Newsom formally requested federal assistance to contain the fires. Trump, who has previously criticized California's wildfire management, appears to have softened his stance, acknowledging the need for joint state and federal efforts.
The president's trip to Los Angeles followed a visit to North Carolina, where he toured areas affected by Hurricane Helen. The Category 4 storm, which struck the southeastern United States in September, caused at least 43 fatalities.
In North Carolina, Trump announced plans to sign an executive order aimed at restructuring or potentially dismantling the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
"FEMA has become a disaster. I think we're going to recommend closing it," Trump said, blaming the agency for delays in emergency relief efforts. He proposed providing federal disaster funding directly to states to enhance their ability to respond to crises.
Trump’s critique of FEMA mirrors his earlier comments on California’s wildfire response. He has frequently accused Governor Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass of "gross incompetence" in handling disasters. Despite these criticisms, the president's recent visit signals a possible shift toward collaboration in addressing the ongoing crisis.