< The Latest 2025-01-21T19:18:07+0000
The Pasadena Star-News | Mon 01/20 02:10pm PST | Staff report
Newly inaugurated President Donald Trump called the Los Angeles County wildfires “tragic” during his inaugural address Monday in Washington DC and he vowed to prevent such disasters from happening again.
Trump mentioned “Los Angeles, where we are watching fires still tragically burn.”
He described the deadly wildfires this way: “From weeks ago, without even a token of defense, they’re raging through the houses and communities, even affecting some of the wealthiest and most powerful individuals in our country, some of whom are sitting here right now. They don’t have a home any longer.”
The president added: “But we can’t let this happen. Everyone is unable to do anything about it. That’s going to change.”
Trump has told reporters that he will “probably” visit Los Angeles as soon as this week, to survey damage from the mammoth Eaton and Palisades fires. If he comes to California it’s likely to be the first official trip in his second presidential term.
California officials including Gov. Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger and Rep. Judy Chu have invited Trump to visit.
Though control of the fires improves with each passing day, firefighters are still battling blazes that have destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 27 people.
Trump has been deeply critical of the response to the fires. He declared California Gov. Gavin Newsom “incompetent” and blamed the mammoth fires on the state’s water policies.
“Governor Gavin Newscum should immediately go to Northern California and open up the water main, and let the water flow into his dry, starving, burning state, instead of having it go out into the Pacific Ocean,” Trump posted on social media as the fires broke out.
Newsom has scoffed at Trump’s salvos, branding them misinformation, and has offered to explain the situation to Trump should he visit the state.
Earlier in his address, Trump was critical of the response to another natural disaster, Hurricane Helene, which ripped through much of western North Carolina in September.
“We have a government that has given unlimited funding to the defense of foreign borders but refuses to defend American borders, or, more importantly, its own people,” he said. “Our country can no longer give basic services in times of emergency, as recently shown by the wonderful people of North Carolina. Been treated so badly. And other states who are still suffering from a hurricane that took place many months ago.”
Trump was sharply critical of President Joe Biden’s response to the hurricane. Biden and local officials, however, accused Trump of spreading misinformation and politicizing the disaster.
In California, Newsom posted his own statement Monday as Trump took office.
“In the face of one of the worst natural disasters in America’s history, this moment underscores the critical need for partnership, a shared commitment to facts, and mutual respect — values that enable civil discourse, effective governance, and meaningful action,” said Newsom. “I look forward to President Trump’s visit to Los Angeles and his mobilization of the full weight of the federal government to help our fellow Americans recover and rebuild.
“Where our shared principles are aligned, my administration stands ready to work with the Trump-Vance administration to deliver solutions and serve the nearly 40 million Californians we jointly represent.”
Former Vice President Kamala Harris, meanwhile, headed back home to the Los Angeles area on Monday, according to a report from Politico. The story said she planned to visit a local fire station to thank firefighters for their efforts.
Harris lives with her husband, Doug Emhoff, in Brentwood. Media reports say Harris is a possible candidate for governor, though she has made no statement on its likelihood. Emhoff is expected to return to his law practice.