Newsom accuses Trump of neglecting aid for wildfires

California Governor Gavin Newsom has criticized the Trump administration for refusing a meeting request as he pushes for increased federal assistance for wildfire recovery. The governors office called the refusal to provide a staffer unprecedented.

According to Newsoms team, the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA, stated that the agencys acting director was unavailable and did not suggest an alternative official to discuss the governors $33.9 billion request to Congress. The administration described this response as part of a broader neglect of the Los Angeles area, noting the White House has not submitted a funding proposal as is typically expected.

The Trump administration turned down a routine wildfire recovery meeting something we have never experienced before even as Los Angeles families approach a year without long-term federal support, said a spokesperson for Newsom. The message to survivors is clear: Donald Trump does not prioritize them.

No immediate comment was offered by the Department of Homeland Security regarding the claims.

The refusal highlights the increasingly strained relationship between Newsom and the White House following devastating wildfires in Los Angeles in January. What began as an outreach effort by Newsom evolved into heightened political tension, with the governor positioning himself in opposition to Trump while navigating the recovery of thousands of displaced residents.

As the one-year mark of the fires approaches, the recovery process remains fragile. Residents have begun returning to their homes, but the lack of federal guidance and funding continues to slow rebuilding efforts, especially for low-income renters and older homeowners with limited or no insurance.

Newsoms updated request to Congress includes $2 billion for new affordable housing projects, $9.9 billion for long-term housing and infrastructure, and $11.8 billion in public assistance for school repairs and emergency services. While federal disaster funding usually arrives years later, state and local governments depend on these allocations for reimbursement.

Initially, Newsom attempted a cooperative approach with the Trump administration, meeting with the president and working with Californias congressional delegation across party lines. However, tensions grew as Newsom opposed key Trump policies, including tariffs and National Guard deployment in Los Angeles, while publicly criticizing the president.

Although Trump pledged support in January, he has since questioned Newsoms competence in handling the wildfire recovery. This political friction has intensified as Newsom seeks additional funding from a Republican-controlled Congress.

Republican lawmakers, including Senator Rick Scott of Florida, have criticized the states response to the fires, claiming mismanagement of federal dollars and calling for accountability before approving further aid.

Author: Ethan Caldwell