SAN JOSE, Calif. – President Trump says he’s visiting Los Angeles on Friday to survey the wildfire damage. Gov. Newsom said he hasn’t spoken with the president, but he’s glad that he’s coming to California.
The backstory:
The two have sparred in the past and now Newsom says he hopes to put politics aside to help the people of L.A. County.
“I hope he comes with a spirit of cooperation and collaboration. That’s the spirit in which we welcome him,” said Newsom.
Gov. Newsom says despite disagreeing on multiple issues with Trump and filing lawsuits against policies the Trump administration wants to implement, now isn’t the time to play politics. He spoke during a press conference Thursday in Los Angeles.
“I hope he does take the time to listen to the folks impacted directly by these wildfires. I hope he has a chance to visit the folks in Altadena, not just in the Palisades,” said Newsom.
Still, on Wednesday during an interview with Sean Hannity, President Trump implied that he may withhold federal aid from California unless there are changes made to the way water is managed.
“I don’t think we should give California anything unless they let water flow down into their state,” said Pres. Donald Trump.
“I don’t mean it in a maligned sense. Maybe the president just doesn’t know that there’s not a spigot that can be turned to solve all the water problems that he alleges exist that don’t exist as it relates to state water systems here in Southern California,” said Newsom.
Menlo College Political Science professor Melissa Michelson says historically, natural disasters bring people together, including state and federal leaders, who may benefit from putting their differences aside.
“I think the president is coming. He’s going to be boots on the ground, that he’s going to be touring the damage. It would be difficult, I think, in terms of public perception and his image, to then not deliver federal aid,” said Michelson.
Newsom signed an aid package using state funds that he hopes will be reimbursed by the federal government.
“I have all the expectation and belief that we’ll be reimbursed for these dollars and that we’ll have the support of Congress and the President of the United States,” said Newsom.
Newsom says he hasn’t been in touch with the White House, but he does plan to meet President Trump at the airport when he arrives on Friday.
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