Newsom visits DC to secure additional funding for LA wildfire recovery
Newsom in Washington to ask for wildfire disaster aid
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is in Washington, D.C., to meet with President Donald Trump and White House officials trying to get more federal aid for California wildfire recovery.
LOS ANGELES - California Gov. Gavin Newsom was in Washington DC Wednesday meeting with President Donald Trump and members of Congress to help secure additional funds to aid in the recovery of Los Angeles following the deadly and destructive wildfires.
"The Governor’s trip is focused on securing critical disaster aid for the survivors of the Los Angeles fires and ensuring impacted families who lost their homes and livelihoods have the support they need to rebuild and recover," spokesperson Izzy Gardon said in a statement.
Newsom posted a video to X after meeting with Trump saying, "Had a very successful day up on Capitol Hill as well meeting in a bipartisan manner with Republican and Democratic leaders about disaster aid and disaster recovery for people impacted by the fires in Southern California. I look forward to more productive meetings and I look forward to the spirit that defined the meetings of this day, that spirit of collaboration, cooperation, the spirit defines the best of American people."
It's unclear how much the governor is requesting from the federal government during this trip.
In late January, Newsom signed a $2.5 billion relief package. Lawmakers also approved $4 million for local governments to streamline approvals for rebuilding homes, and $1 million to support school districts and help them rebuild facilities.
Both the Palisades and Eaton fires, which broke out Jan. 7, claimed 29 lives.
The Eaton Fire in Altadena caused at least 17 deaths, destroyed 9,418 structures and damaged 1,073 more while burning 14,021 acres.
At least 12 people were killed in the Palisades Fire, which burned 23,448 acres, destroyed 6,837 structures and damaged 1,017 others.
Several other fires broke out around Los Angeles as the region was under a severe Red Flag warning due to strong winds.
All fires are now fully contained.
Trump, LA County leaders discuss wildfire recovery
President Donald Trump met with Southern California leaders of various walks of life to discuss wildfire recovery and rebuild efforts. At one point during the meeting, Trump and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass clashed over the timing of when displaced residents or business owners can go back to their properties to clean up the debris. California Governor Gavin Newsom was not invited to the roundtable discussion.
President Trump visited Southern California Friday, Jan. 24 and toured the Pacific Palisades while meeting with firefighters, local residents who lost their homes and city and state officials.
During his visit, he vowed to help rebuild LA and promised Newsom that the federal government would fully support the state and city.
RELATED: 'We're going to get it fixed', Trump vows to help LA after touring wildfire zone
"A tremendous number of lives have been affected, a lot of real estate has been affected. No one has probably ever seen anything like this before, you can almost say since the Second World War. Nothing like this has happened. And we’re going to get it fixed, get it permanently fixed so it can't happen again. They are going to need a lot of federal help," the president said during his visit.