The 2018 wildfire season in California was the deadliest and most destructive on record, with nearly 2 million acres burned and 100 people dead. Former President Donald Trump initially nearly declined to approve federal aid due to the state’s political makeup, but changed his mind after learning that Orange County had more registered Republicans than Democrats. The exchange was confirmed by Mark Harvey, a former National Security Council employee who supported Vice President Kamala Harris.
The impact of the fires was felt across the state, including the Holy fire in Southern California that destroyed homes and cabins. Trump has been critical of California’s handling of wildfires, urging the state to manage its forests better. After initially criticizing California’s response to the fires, Trump eventually approved disaster relief for the state.
Trump’s handling of disasters based on political affiliation has come under scrutiny, with Rep. Katie Porter calling his actions regarding California’s disaster relief “abhorrent.” In response to recent criticism from Trump, President Joe Biden and Gov. Gavin Newsom emphasized the importance of helping all those in need regardless of political affiliation.
Trump’s comments about California’s response to disasters come as he has been critical of both the state and federal governments for various issues. Despite his criticisms, Biden and Newsom have emphasized the importance of providing aid to those in need regardless of political differences.
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