A Los Angeles County supervisor is crediting President Donald Trump for direct engagement in wildfire recovery efforts, while warning that demand for federal disaster assistance is increasing as other states seek support through FEMA.
Following a recent meeting with Trump administration officials, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger (R) and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) emphasized the importance of federal coordination as California continues to recover from a series of catastrophic wildfires in January 2025.
The fires, fueled by hurricane-force Santa Ana winds, destroyed more than 18,000 structures and displaced over 200,000 residents in the Los Angeles area.
Officials report a direct death toll of approximately 31. However, some researchers estimate the broader impact, including smoke-related fatalities, could be as high as 440.
Direct Appeal for Federal Support
Barger publicly thanked Trump for taking time to meet and discuss recovery needs, emphasizing the scale of damage and the long-term rebuilding challenges facing affected communities.
Local officials say federal assistance is essential for:
- Debris removal and infrastructure repair
- Housing support for displaced residents
- Long-term mitigation to prevent future disasters
FEMA Demand Expanding Nationwide
At the same time, as The Hill reports, she told CNN that she has made clear to lawmakers that California is far from alone in seeking federal assistance:
“It’s important for us to recognize that they’re also standing in line waiting for assistance,” she said. “So my goal, and I made this clear to everyone on the hill that I met with, is not to leave other states behind. It’s important for us to speak with one voice. We’re all asking for FEMA reimbursement, which is something that’s in the books.”
She said there was “heavy lifting” to do, and added that Trump recognized issues with fire rebuilding permits. Trump signed an executive order in January to speed up the rebuilding of homes in Pacific Palisades and Altadena, the California communities most affected by the Palisades and Eaton fires in January 2025.
Michaelson pressed on the dynamic between Bass and Trump during the meeting. The two have been outspoken in criticizing each other, specifically over federal immigration enforcement operations in the City of Angels.
“It was not Republican [versus] Democrat, it was about representatives there to talk about a disaster that occurred,” Barger said. “He came out, he saw it firsthand. His concern was, ‘Are you going to help the survivors rebuild?’ And the answer is yes.”
Political and Practical Implications
The meeting also underscores ongoing coordination between federal and local officials — even in politically divided environments — when it comes to disaster response.
While tensions often emerge over funding levels and policy decisions, both sides have emphasized the importance of cooperation in the face of large-scale emergencies.
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