Trump Departs White House to Visit Disaster Zones in N. Carolina, California/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump visited disaster-stricken areas in North Carolina and California on Friday, marking his first official trip of his second term. Touring Hurricane Helene’s damage in North Carolina and wildfire destruction in Los Angeles, Trump criticized past responses and pledged federal support. The trip sparked debates over FEMA’s role, state water policies, and the growing impact of climate change on natural disasters.
Trump Tours Disaster Zones: Quick Looks
- Locations Visited: North Carolina (Hurricane Helene) and Los Angeles (wildfires).
- Main Issues: Trump criticized previous disaster responses and state water policies.
- FEMA Reforms: The president suggested limiting FEMA’s involvement and shifting responsibility to states.
- Climate Change: Experts linked Hurricane Helene and California wildfires to global warming, which Trump has downplayed.
- Public Reactions: Divided opinions, with some hopeful for action and others criticizing politicization.
Trump Departs White House to Visit Disaster Zones in N. Carolina, California
Deep Look
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump embarked on his first official trip of his second term on Friday, visiting disaster-stricken regions in North Carolina and California. The trip highlighted the ongoing political tension surrounding disaster response, FEMA’s role, and the impact of climate change on extreme weather events.
Hurricane Recovery in North Carolina
In North Carolina, Trump received a briefing on recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene, which struck in September 2024. He visited a small town near Asheville, meeting residents who received aid from Samaritan’s Purse, a humanitarian organization led by Franklin Graham.
As Trump departed the White House, he criticized the previous administration’s handling of the storm: “It’s been a horrible thing the way that’s been allowed to fester,” he said. “We’re going to get it fixed up.”
Local residents echoed concerns about lingering damage. Laurie Carpenter, a 62-year-old retiree, expressed optimism: “If anybody’s going to do something about it, I think he will.”
However, critics accused Trump of politicizing disaster response. While running for reelection, he claimed, without evidence, that Democrats deliberately neglected Republican areas during disaster recovery.
California Wildfires and Political Friction
Trump then traveled to Los Angeles to survey the devastation caused by record-breaking wildfires. Touring the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, where entire rows of homes were reduced to ash, Trump criticized California’s water policies, suggesting that conservation measures contributed to the fires.
“I’ll take a look at a fire that could have been put out if they let the water flow,” Trump said, reviving a claim disputed by experts.
Members of Congress joined Trump for a wildfire briefing, where tensions over federal disaster funding loomed large. Representative Young Kim, a Republican from Orange County, condemned any suggestion of withholding aid, calling it “a slap in the face to wildfire victims and first responders.”
FEMA’s future role in disaster response remains uncertain. Trump has proposed limiting the agency’s funding and shifting more responsibility to individual states. Critics, including Michael Coen, former FEMA chief of staff, warned that such changes could jeopardize recovery efforts.
“You’re going to pick winners and losers,” Coen said. “Americans expect the federal government to be there on their worst day, no matter where they live.”
Climate Change and Disaster Frequency
While Trump has downplayed the role of climate change, experts pointed to its contribution to both disasters. Hurricane Helene’s rainfall was intensified by 10% due to global warming, according to World Weather Attribution researchers. Similarly, California’s record-dry wet season exacerbated wildfire conditions.
“This is breaking our comfort zone of what is supposed to be normal,” said Amanda Stasiewicz, a University of Oregon researcher.
Trump’s FEMA Reforms
Trump also hinted at overhauling FEMA, appointing Cameron Hamilton, a former Navy SEAL with limited disaster management experience, as acting director. Trump has suggested FEMA’s involvement should be limited to funding, with states taking the lead in disaster response.
This approach has drawn both support and criticism. Pete Gaynor, former FEMA director, noted that presidential visits can boost local morale but stressed the importance of federal support:
“If you’re a disaster survivor, it’s always good when the president comes to town.”
Public and Political Reactions
Reactions to Trump’s trip were mixed. Supporters viewed it as a sign of commitment to disaster recovery, while detractors criticized his politicization of aid and downplaying of climate change.
Members of Congress and local officials braced for difficult conversations about federal disaster relief. Former President Joe Biden had pledged full federal coverage for wildfire recovery costs before leaving office, but fulfilling that promise depends on congressional approval of additional funding.
What’s Next?
Following his tour of disaster zones, Trump will hold a rally in Las Vegas on Saturday. Advisers said he plans to thank Nevada voters for his surprise win in the state and outline a campaign promise to exclude tips from federal taxes, a proposal aimed at benefiting service industry workers in the hospitality-driven economy.
While disaster recovery remains a pressing issue, Trump’s remarks about FEMA and climate change suggest broader debates about the role of the federal government and the long-term strategies needed to combat increasingly frequent natural disasters.
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