President Donald Trump is set to visit hurricane-ravaged western North Carolina and wildfire-stricken Los Angeles on Friday, marking his first trip since the start of his second term. The trip comes amid a politically charged backdrop, with Trump criticizing the previous administration’s disaster response in North Carolina and California, and sparking debates over his proposed federal disaster management policies.
Trump has notably blamed Californiaās water policies, specifically fish conservation efforts, for exacerbating wildfires, a claim widely disputed by experts. During an interview with Sean Hannity on Wednesday, Trump stated, “I donāt think we should give California anything until they let the water run down.” He also suggested a shift in disaster management responsibilities to individual states, claiming, “FEMA is getting in the way of everything.”
The White House has invited California congressional members to meet with Trump in Santa Monica, though any discussions are likely to be contentious. California Senator Alex Padilla emphasized the importance of federal disaster aid, stating, “Southern California has always been there for other regions of the country, and we expect our country to be there for us.”
Trumpās disaster response policies have been criticized by former FEMA officials, including Michael Coen, who said, “The American people expect the federal government will be there for them on their worst day, no matter where they live.” Trumpās prior handling of disaster zones, including controversial moments like tossing paper towels in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, remains fresh in the publicās memory.
In addition to visiting disaster areas, Trump plans to hold a rally in Las Vegas on Saturday to celebrate his surprising Nevada win in the recent election. Advisers say he will unveil plans to push for federal tax exemptions on gratuities, a move aimed at benefiting workers in the service-driven Nevada economy. However, making such a policy permanent would require congressional approval.
The trip also highlights broader concerns about climate change, which Trump has downplayed. Studies have shown that climate change has intensified disasters like Hurricane Helene and the Los Angeles wildfires. Experts warn that events like these are becoming the ānew normal,ā with global warming playing a significant role in their severity.
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