Governor Gavin Newsom invited President-elect Donald Trump to California to investigate the destruction caused by the deadly wildfires in Los Angeles County. He wrote a letter on Friday asking Trump to join him in meeting with victims and firefighters.
With two massive fires still burning on opposite sides of the county, Newsom reached out to Trump, citing the federal aid that had already been provided so far. by the Biden administration. The letter will come later the president-elect blamed the governor and Los Angeles leaders for the natural disasters, claiming they made policy decisions that worsened the crisis.
Newsom has refuted these allegations, calling Trump’s claim that the governor “refused to sign a water restoration declaration” that would divert millions of gallons of water to current wildfire areas “pure fiction.”
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The Two Largest and Most Destructive Wildfires in LA – the Eaton Fire just outside Pasadena and the Palisades Fire in the coastal community of Pacific Palisades – have at least 11 people killed and destroyed thousands of structures. More than 150,000 people fled their homes this week, and more evacuations took place in the Palisades Fire on Friday evening as the flames continued to spread.
Newsom’s letter references Trump’s 2018 visit to California after the Camp Fire ignited in the Northern California town of Paradise deadliest wildfire in California history. During the same visit, the pair surveyed the widespread destruction of the Woolsey Fire in Malibu, part of the same area in Los Angeles County where the Palisades Fire swept through.
So far, the Eaton and Palisades fires are already among the most common the most destructive in the state’s history.
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“Now California is once again facing one of the most devastating fires in our history,” Newsom’s letter reads.
He goes on to write that several LA wildfires sparked by hurricane force winds exploded in size “even despite the tremendous work of legions of experienced firefighters” – causing thousands to flee before destroying entire communities.
“The loss and devastation are horrific,” the letter reads, which goes on to report Biden’s approval of a major disaster declaration.
“However, the threat to lives and property remains acute. Winds of up to 70 miles per hour are still forecast for the next few days, with more extreme winds likely to appear early next week, with no change to dry conditions. “, the letter says. “As you prepare to assume the presidency once again, I invite you to come to California once again – to meet the Americans affected by these fires, to see the devastation firsthand, and join thank me and others to the heroic firefighters and first responders who put their lives on the line.”
“In the spirit of this great country, we must not politicize human tragedies or spread disinformation from the sidelines,” the letter continues. “Hundreds of thousands of Americans – displaced from their homes and fearful of the future – deserve to see all of us working in their best interests to ensure a speedy recovery and rebuild.”
Trump has not yet responded to the governor’s invitation.
