President Biden accused former President Donald Trump of lying about his administration's efforts to respond to Hurricane Helen and said he would visit North Carolina on Wednesday to inspect the damage.
“We're going to North Carolina on Wednesday. We're planning right now. We're going to land in Raleigh for a meeting with the Emergency Operations Center and then do an aerial tour,” Biden said in remarks from the Oval Office. He said he planned to travel to Georgia and Florida “as soon as possible” to assess the damage.
The president confirmed the visit after hearing a briefing on response and recovery efforts from North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper (D), Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell, and Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall. did.
Separately, Trump criticized Biden's response to the hurricane during a visit to Georgia on Monday, claiming Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) had a hard time getting in touch with Biden. I was furious at his statement. Mr. Kemp and Mr. Biden confirmed on Sunday that the two had met.
“He's lying, and the governor told him he was lying. The governor told him he was lying. I talked to the governor and spent time with him, but I said the governor is lying. I don't know why he would do that…That's just not true and it's irresponsible,” Biden said in response to Trump.
Vice President Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, also gave an update on hurricane relief efforts on Monday, saying she intended to be in the affected areas “as soon as possible.”
Republican presidential candidate Trump traveled to Valdosta, Georgia, on Monday to inspect storm damage and express support for communities reeling from the damage. he c
Biden stressed that he did not want to rush to the affected areas and disrupt relief efforts. He also said early Monday that he planned to ask Congress for additional legislation to fund relief efforts, raising the possibility that lawmakers would have to return from a lengthy campaign recess to pass the legislation. suggested that there is.
The hurricane caused devastating destruction in the city of Asheville and the North Carolina Mountains, leaving thousands of people without power and water and damaging water systems.
Hurricane Helen made landfall in Florida on Thursday as a Category 4 hurricane, bringing devastating winds and rain and causing more than 100 deaths and injuries in six states, the Associated Press reported.
This article was updated at 6:11 p.m.
