Los Angeles Mayor Advocates for Wildfire Relief in Meeting with Trump
On Wednesday, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass met with President Donald Trump to discuss funding for wildfire recovery, marking a rare moment of collaboration amidst ongoing tensions. Bass, along with Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Berger, shared a photo on social media from their meeting in the Oval Office.
During the meeting, they engaged in what they described as “positive discussions” regarding funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the efforts needed to rebuild after the significant Palisades and Eaton fires of the previous year. Their joint statement emphasized their commitment to supporting families who lost their homes, stating, “We had very positive discussions about FEMA and other recovery funds, as well as the president’s support for continuing to pressure insurance companies to address their backlogs and for major banks to ease the financial burden on Los Angeles families.”
The meeting is particularly noteworthy considering the friction that had previously existed between California leaders and the Trump administration concerning wildfire recovery efforts. The devastating fire had destroyed over 16,200 structures and burned more than 37,700 acres, resulting in extensive damage estimated in the tens of billions of dollars. Residents are still facing challenges related to insurance claims and the rising costs associated with rebuilding.
In the past, FEMA announced over $3 billion in aid last June, but California Governor Gavin Newsom later pushed for an additional $33.9 billion in federal funding. Recently, Newsom criticized Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem regarding delays in the release of more than $500 million in FEMA funds meant for wildfire recovery efforts.
Bass has faced criticism for her meeting with Trump, especially from local figures like reality TV star Spencer Pratt, who took to social media to deride her in light of her past clashes with the administration.
Both Bass and Berger remarked on the vital role of federal partners in the recovery process, appreciating the president’s support in these discussions.
