Trump To Visit California To Assess Wildfire Devastation

CALIFORNIA — President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit California Monday to assess the damage of the state's largest wildfire season on record. The firestorm has burned 3.2 million acres, caused 19 deaths and destroyed more than 4,000 structures.

The White House tweeted Saturday that Trump will meet with local and federal fire and emergency officials on the the state's wildfires.

He is slated to visit McClellan Park, a former Air Force base in Sacramento County, Fox 11 Los Angeles reported.

News of the visitation comes after the president was criticized for his silence on the West Coast's devastating fire season for more than three weeks until Friday.

"THANK YOU to the 28,000+ Firefighters and other First Responders who are battling wildfires across California, Oregon, and Washington," He wrote on Twitter. "I have approved 37 Stafford Act Declarations, including Fire Management Grants to support their brave work. We are with them all the way!"

Gov. Gavin Newsom has praised Trump during numerous routine news conferences throughout August for his response and has been reluctant to criticize the president despite any political differences, especially pertaining to climate change. Newsom has asserted that their working relationship is "very effective."

"There's not one phone call that I have made to the President, where he hasn't quickly responded," Newsom said. "And in almost every instance, he's responded favorably in terms of addressing the emergency needs of the state."

In August, Trump threatened to withhold federal aid from the Golden State, claiming that the state was experiencing a large fire season because officials had not followed his advice to thin trees and manage forest floors.

But Newsom didn't hesitate to respond then. Despite giving up his slot at the Democratic National Convention, Newsom spoke out responded to the president's remarks.

“Climate change is real. If you are in denial about climate change, come to California. … Just today, the President of the United States threatened … to defund our efforts on wildfire suppression because he said we didn’t rake enough leaves. Can’t make that up.”

Later, the California governor insisted that he pushed back because he thought it was important, CalMatters reported.

"I don't want to have people strewn with some anxiety that somehow the president may pull funding," Newsom said in late August.

THANK YOU to the 28,000+ Firefighters and other First Responders who are battling wildfires across California, Oregon, and Washington. I have approved 37 Stafford Act Declarations, including Fire Management Grants to support their brave work. We are with them all the way! pic.twitter.com/Uu9vArw70Z
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 12, 2020

Despite previous criticisms of California's forest management, Newsom announced Aug. 22 that the president had approved his request for help.

The Presidential Major Disaster Declaration was set to assist citizens in impacted counties by offering access to crisis counseling, housing and unemployment assistance as well as legal services. It will also provide federal assistance to help state, tribal and local governments fund fire agencies, recovery and other protective measures.

"Thank you to the President for your partnership and granting this urgent Major Disaster Declaration," Newsom said in a press release. "California is battling two of the largest fires in our history and has seen nearly 600 new fires in the last week caused by dry lightning strikes. These are unprecedented times and conditions, but California is strong – we will get through this."