Trump renews political threats over California wildfire disaster aid

President-elect Donald Trump blamed California's leadership for devastating Los Angeles wildfires and revived his warning to withhold disaster funds from Democratic leaders.

Scott Waldman reports for E&E News.

In short:

• Santa Ana winds fueled deadly fires that destroyed over 1,000 buildings in Los Angeles, with at least five fatalities reported.
• Trump criticized Gov. Gavin Newsom and President Joe Biden, linking the crisis to environmental policies and inadequate wildfire management.
• Biden issued a disaster declaration to unlock federal aid, but Trump suggested he may use funding as political leverage once in office.

Key quote:

“Firefighters are putting their lives on the lines. Political insults and threats do nothing to help families who are hurting.”

— California Sen. Alex Padilla

Why this matters:

California’s wildfire crisis highlights the devastating impact of extreme weather, intensified by climate change. Threats to politicize federal disaster relief could hinder recovery and set a dangerous precedent for withholding aid during future disasters.