LA County Supervisors Ask President Trump for Wildfire Aid
Aid in Limbo as President Trump Visits Fire Zones
On the second day of President Donald Trump’s administration, the Los Angeles County Supervisors signed a letter asking for federal assistance for fire victims, as well as cleanup and rebuilding. The motion, adopted on January 21, serves as a reminder that former President Joe Biden guaranteed 100% federal funding for debris removal, temporary housing, and first responder salaries for six months. However, under the Trump Administration, this guarantee has been replaced with uncertainty and looming questions.
Will President Trump Fork Over Full Funding?
Will President Trump willingly provide full funding to a blue state, particularly the bluest county in the country? And will there be strings attached? Hal Dash, president and CEO of Cerrell Associates, a public policy and communications firm, noted that Trump is a “mercurial character and a vindictive character, who knows.”
Political Analysts Weigh In
President Trump has announced he will be visiting the fire zones in Los Angeles County. At his inaugural address, he mentioned some supporters who lost their homes in the fires, leading some political watchers to believe aid for disaster recovery could be expected.
“I think he will give some money, sure. For some people who lost their homes, he knows some of those people. He will probably hear their cries for help,” said Joel Fox, adjunct professor at Pepperdine University’s Graduate School of Public Policy. “Will there be strings attached? There may be.”
Funding Request Includes Cleanup and Rebuilding
The county is asking Governor Gavin Newsom to fulfill a pledge to provide $2.5 billion in additional aid to help advance recovery efforts from the Eaton fire in Altadena and Pasadena, and the Palisades fire in Pacific Palisades and Malibu. Some bills are already moving through the legislature.
Estimates for Rebuilding Homes in the Billions
Clearing out debris, much of which contains hazardous materials, will be extremely costly. Estimates for rebuilding thousands of homes will be in the billions of dollars.
To augment Federal Emergency Management Authority (FEMA) funding, which comes with a federal and county emergency declaration, the county is asking for additional federal and state dollars. “More resources will make this recovery more effective,” said Kevin McGowan, director of L.A. County Office of Emergency Management.
As part of the motion, the supervisors ordered the county’s Department of Legislative Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations to ensure “the county’s voice must be present at the table” when funding bills are being drafted.
The fate of federal aid for the wildfire disaster in LA County remains uncertain, with some predicting strings attached and others believing Trump will provide aid. The county is seeking additional funding to aid in the recovery efforts, including cleanup and rebuilding. As the process unfolds, it remains to be seen how the federal government will respond.
* Will President Trump provide full funding for the wildfire disaster in LA County?
+ Uncertain, as Trump’s character is mercurial and he may attach strings to the funding.
* Will there be strings attached to the federal aid?
+ Possibly, as Congress may ask for changes in forest management, such as brush clearing, or fixes to inoperative reservoirs that hampered fire responses.
* What is the estimated cost of rebuilding homes affected by the wildfires?
+ In the billions of dollars.
