Trump targets Biden and Harris over hurricane response in Georgia visit

Former President Donald Trump plans to tour hurricane-stricken Georgia, criticizing the Biden administration's response to the disaster.

Kimberly Leonard reports for POLITICO.


In short:

  • Trump accused President Biden and Vice President Harris of inaction during Hurricane Helene while campaigning in Pennsylvania.
  • Trump will receive a briefing in Georgia and distribute relief supplies, while Biden plans to visit impacted areas later in the week.
  • Both Biden and Harris expressed condolences and outlined federal disaster support, but Trump framed their efforts as insufficient.

Key quote:

“I know that everyone here sends their thoughts and prayers for the folks who have been so devastated by that hurricane and the ensuing events, in Florida, in Georgia, the Carolinas and other impacted states.”

— Vice President Kamala Harris

Why this matters:

Reality check: The Biden administration has approved disaster declarations designed to help storm survivors get the resources necessary to begin recovery efforts.

Democrats point to Project 2025, which powerful Trump supporters and funders endorse, as evidence that a second Trump administration would gut FEMA and funding for federal flood insurance. During his time as president, Trump rolled back more than 100 rules and policies meant to protect the environment and address climate change and climate-warming emissions.

Read more: The climate impact of a potential second Trump term

An overhead view of two rice and tofu bowls

Opinion: Plant-based diets can deliver climate and health benefits at the same time

Many choices we ask people make to help the climate don’t reveal immediate results, but we found that changing diets can have a climate benefit and quickly reduce some health risks.

A view of a prison yard

The ‘lionesses’ who sued to get air conditioning in every Texas prison — and won

A group led by formerly incarcerated women spent years advocating for those trapped inside prison walls during Texas’ hot summers.

Two people standing at voting booths filling out ballots
Credit: Ahmed/Unsplash+

Meet the Michigan climate candidate on Trump’s radar

Sunrise Movement co-founder William Lawrence’s toss-up congressional race has drawn progressives, data center critics and the president.

A view of smokestacks emitting smoke into the air

China keeps its overseas coal promise, but the demand continues

It has been five years since China promised the United Nations to stop funding overseas coal projects.
A view of a city street with cars and tall buildings

Trump administration plans to gut clean car rules

New fuel-economy standards, which President Trump said he finalized Saturday, would kill a federal effort to speed the transition to electric vehicles.
A field of green wheat stalks under a gray sky

British farmers saw ‘disappointing’ harvest and lower crop yields after hottest summer on record

Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board warned that the quality of the crops harvested has also been impacted.

A car's fuel gauge showing empty

How Trump is unintentionally helping the world’s climate

While the president remains a climate-change denier, the war with Iran has triggered an unforeseen benefit in the fight against global warming.
From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.