Trump announced his visit during an interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity, stating he would first stop in North Carolina, still recovering from Hurricane Helene in September. “Those people were treated very badly by Democrats, and we’re going to get that straightened out,” Trump said.Governor Newsom confirmed he would welcome the president at the airport despite their ongoing disagreements. Trump and congressional Republicans have pushed to tie federal disaster aid to changes in California’s water policies and forest management.The president has repeatedly criticized California’s water management, claiming northern water resources are not being adequately redirected south, a claim California officials have refuted. Trump also emphasized political conditions for aid, including implementing voter ID laws in Los Angeles.“I want to see two things: voter ID so people can vote fairly, and water flowing properly to Los Angeles and across the state,” Trump said.California officials and conservation groups dispute Trump’s claims, noting minimal impact from federal regulations on water flow. Ashley Overhouse of Defenders of Wildlife explained that even the strictest measures to protect the endangered delta smelt accounted for just 1.2% of additional water outflow during the Obama administration.
PHOTO: An aerial view of the fire damage caused by the Eaton Fire is shown in Altadena, Calif. Jan. 22, 2025. (Mike Blake/Reuters)Meanwhile, the House has passed the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act, aimed at improving forest management and preventing wildfires. The legislation ensures timely reimbursements for fire departments, enhances fire prediction systems, and supports recovery efforts. It also streamlines environmental reviews to reduce planning costs and establishes an interagency center to assist local governments.ABC News has launched the "SoCal Strong" initiative (#SoCalStrong), providing coverage of impacted communities and fundraising opportunities for wildfire victims across its platforms.
PHOTO: An aerial view of the fire damage caused by the Eaton Fire is shown in Altadena, Calif. Jan. 22, 2025. (Mike Blake/Reuters)Meanwhile, the House has passed the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act, aimed at improving forest management and preventing wildfires. The legislation ensures timely reimbursements for fire departments, enhances fire prediction systems, and supports recovery efforts. It also streamlines environmental reviews to reduce planning costs and establishes an interagency center to assist local governments.ABC News has launched the "SoCal Strong" initiative (#SoCalStrong), providing coverage of impacted communities and fundraising opportunities for wildfire victims across its platforms. 
