As Donald Trump prepares to take office again, a trip to Los Angeles is on his itinerary in the wake of recent devastating wildfires.
Although he confirmed he has yet to speak to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, the president-elect noted he plans to make the visit “probably, at the end of the week” after his inauguration on Monday, previously opting not to go sooner.
“I was going to go, actually yesterday but I thought it would be better if I went as president,” Trump told NBC News. “It’s a little bit more appropriate, I suspect.”
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Trump has blamed the fires on Newsom, who pushed back on the claim and has invited the president-elect to survey the damage. He accused Trump of spreading “mis- and disinformation I don’t think advantages or aids any of us.”
Newsom added, “Responding to Donald Trump’s insults, we would spend another month. I’m very familiar with them. Every elected official that he disagrees with is very familiar with them.”
As of Wednesday, at least 25 people have died in the Southern California wildfires. Meanwhile, more than 105,000 people received mandatory evacuation orders, which have begun lifting. Since the fires started, officers have made 44 arrests across the impacted areas, including for arson, burglary, breaking curfew and other violations.
President Joe Biden, who extended his Los Angeles trip last week to visit first responders and those affected, declared the fires a major disaster and directed the federal government to cover 100% of costs for disaster assistance.
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