On Friday, President Donald Trump will travel to California the Golden State continues to be hit by wildfires.
Trump’s trip to fire-ravaged Los Angeles comes after he traded barbs with California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D). The president will also make trips to North Carolina, which was hit hard by Hurricane Helene, and to Nevada.
The trip to Los Angeles also marks a big moment for Newsom, who has been floated as a potential 2028 contender but who has also come under intense scrutiny for the state response to the fire.
Congress will likely have to consider disaster aid for California ahead of the fast-approaching March 14 government funding deadline. A number of top Republicans, including Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) have called for conditions to be put on federal aid to the state. Last week, Trump floated tying the aid to a future reconciliation bill.
Rep. Young Kim (R-Calif.), whose district neighbors the areas most affected by the blazes, told The Hill that a visit to the region could change Trump’s perspective on conditioning the aid.
“[It’s] the same argument I’ve been making with my colleagues,” Kim said. “If this disaster hit your district, you would think differently and not talk about the conditions because look at my colleagues from North Carolina, look at my colleagues from other disaster areas like Louisiana, and then here in Southern California.”
