Biden and Harris visit Southeast/ Hurricane Helene relief/ Biden disaster response/ Harris disaster relief/ Trump criticizes relief efforts/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are visiting the Southeast to assess damage and assist recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene. Biden is traveling to North and South Carolina, while Harris heads to Georgia, marking her first major disaster visit as vice president. Their visits come as Trump criticizes their administration’s response, despite Governor Kemp affirming the state’s needs are being met.
Biden and Harris Respond to Hurricane Helene’s Destruction: Quick Looks
- Biden’s Response: President Biden directs federal resources to aid recovery efforts, visiting the Carolinas.
- Harris’ Role: Harris tours Georgia to assess the damage, stepping into her first disaster relief role as VP.
- Trump’s Criticism: Trump falsely claims the administration is neglecting Republican areas, though state leaders disagree.
- Past Comparisons: Trump’s own disaster responses, including Puerto Rico, face renewed scrutiny.
Biden and Harris Tour Hurricane Helene Devastation in Southeast
Deep Look
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s widespread devastation, both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are fanning out across the Southeast to oversee recovery efforts and reassure impacted communities. The death toll from the storm has reached nearly 160, with extensive damage to infrastructure and ongoing power outages. The administration’s response aims to demonstrate its commitment to helping those in need, particularly as Republican nominee Donald Trump criticizes their efforts.
Biden Heads to the Carolinas
President Biden, who has made numerous visits to disaster-stricken areas during his presidency, is heading to North and South Carolina. He will first fly into Greenville, South Carolina, where he will assess the damage from the air before heading to Raleigh, North Carolina, for a briefing on recovery efforts. His visit underscores the administration’s focus on mobilizing federal resources to jumpstart the recovery process.
“We have to jumpstart this recovery process. People are scared to death. This is urgent,” Biden said on Tuesday, stressing the need to provide immediate assistance. The president reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sending every available resource to areas hit hardest by Hurricane Helene.
Harris Steps Into Disaster Relief Role
For Vice President Kamala Harris, this marks her first major disaster visit as part of her role in the administration. On Wednesday, she will visit Georgia, where Hurricane Helene has caused significant damage. This visit presents a critical opportunity for Harris to step into a role for which Biden is often recognized—offering empathy and support to Americans affected by natural disasters.
Although Harris has experience visiting disaster sites from her time as a U.S. senator, including trips to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria and to California following devastating wildfires, this trip carries heightened significance as she seeks to show leadership and compassion during the final stretch of her presidential campaign.
Trump’s Criticism of Relief Efforts
Trump, who traveled to Valdosta, Georgia, earlier in the week with a Christian charity to distribute supplies, accused Biden of failing to respond to calls from Georgia Governor Brian Kemp. Trump claimed that Biden was “sleeping” on the job and neglecting Republican-led states, a charge that was quickly refuted by Kemp himself. The governor confirmed that he had spoken with Biden and assured the public that the state was receiving the necessary resources.
Biden, clearly angered by Trump’s comments, called out the former president for spreading misinformation. “Trump is lying, and the governor told him he was lying,” Biden said.
Trump’s history of making similar accusations resurfaced, particularly in the wake of his response to Hurricane Maria. During his presidency, Trump was widely criticized for delaying aid to Puerto Rico, releasing $13 billion in federal assistance only weeks before the 2020 election. He also faced backlash for his handling of a visit to the island, where he was seen tossing paper towel rolls to survivors—a moment criticized as insensitive given the suffering many were enduring.
Harris Reflects on Past Disaster Relief
Harris has not been shy about her criticism of Trump’s past disaster responses, particularly regarding Hurricane Maria. In 2018, she joined a bipartisan delegation to Puerto Rico and later took to Twitter to call out the failures of the federal response, emphasizing the government’s responsibility to assess damage accurately and commit the necessary resources.
Reflecting on that time, Harris said last month that Puerto Ricans needed real help and partnership, not symbolic gestures like tossing paper towels. Her words drew a sharp contrast between the Biden administration’s approach to disaster recovery and Trump’s handling of previous crises.
Moving Forward with Recovery Efforts
As Biden and Harris focus on aiding communities devastated by Hurricane Helene, the political ramifications of their efforts are ever-present. While Trump continues to campaign on criticisms of the administration’s disaster response, state leaders and federal officials are working to ensure that affected areas receive the assistance they need.
The recovery from Hurricane Helene is likely to be a key issue as the 2024 election approaches, with both parties aiming to prove they are the best equipped to lead the nation through future crises.
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