Donald Trump said on Friday that he wanted California to adopt voter ID laws before he approved federal funds to assist it in recovering from the massive wildfires. He also said he may eliminate the federal agency for emergency response.
“I want to see two things in Los Angeles: Voter ID so that the people have a chance to vote. And I want to see the water be released and come down into Los Angeles and throughout the state. Those are the two things. After that, I will be the greatest president that California ever has seen,” Trump said during a visit to North Carolina.
Trump has slammed Gov. Gavin Newsom and California’s leaders, and Trump has been treated with contempt for their water policies which he claims worsened recent fires. He said that he would look at “a fire which could have been extinguished if the water had flown, but they did not let the water flow.”
Trump will tour the Pacific Palisades area in California where many homes have been burned down. Trump is expected to be briefed on the ongoing fires that have thousands of people evacuated.
Trump said that during his North Carolina trip, he was considering “getting FEMA”, the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The comment was made at a briefing about the long recovery process from Hurricane Helene. It is the latest indication that Trump plans to make sweeping changes in the role of the federal government when it comes to managing disasters.
The Republican President said, “FEMA is a big disappointment.” It’s bureaucratic. It’s also very slow. We’re happy with them, except for that.”
Trump has said that he is considering signing an executive order regarding FEMA.
After landing in Asheville, he stated: “I would like to see states handle disasters, let the state deal with tornadoes, hurricanes, and other disasters.”
Trump said that would be quicker than sending in FEMA.
The president stated that “FEMA hasn’t been able to do the job.” “We are looking at FEMA as a whole.”
When local leaders ask for a presidential declaration of emergency, it is a sign that the damage has exceeded the ability of the state to manage on its own. FEMA reimburses governments for recovery costs, such as debris removal. It also provides financial support to individuals. Trump’s conservative supporters have suggested reducing the amount of money that FEMA should provide.
Trump has criticized former president Joe Biden’s administration for its response to Hurricane Helene. He told reporters as he left the White House Friday morning that it was “a terrible thing” that the situation had been allowed to fester since Hurricane Helene hit in September.
Trump will be briefed on the recovery efforts, and then travel to Asheville’s small town to meet residents who were helped by Samaritan’s Purse, an evangelical humanitarian organization led by Franklin Graham.
