Governor Newsom Criticizes Federal Response and President Trump for Delays in California Wildfire Recovery
California Governor Gavin Newsom has criticized President Trump and the federal government for the slow pace of recovery following devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. The fires, which occurred in January, destroyed 16,000 structures. Newsom has requested $33.9 billion in disaster recovery funds from Congress, but he claims that the administration has not forwarded this request, delaying congressional action. During a visit to Capitol Hill, Newsom sought support from lawmakers to expedite the recovery process. Despite receiving $7 billion in federal assistance for debris removal, the rebuilding of homes and infrastructure has been slow, with only about 340 homes beginning reconstruction. Newsom's request is less than the amounts approved for past disasters like Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy. He also expressed frustration over being denied a meeting with the acting director of FEMA, blaming President Trump for not fulfilling promises made during a visit to the disaster area.