WASHINGTON — Gov. Gavin Newsom mentioned he had a “very productive” assembly with President Donald Trump on the White Home late Wednesday afternoon the place the 2 leaders mentioned restoration efforts for the Los Angeles wildfires.
“We’re working throughout the aisle, as we all the time have, to make sure survivors have the sources and help they want. Thanks President Trump for coming to our communities to see this primary hand, and assembly with me at the moment to proceed our joint efforts to help folks impacted,” Newsom mentioned in a press release Wednesday.
The governor flew to the nation’s capital on Tuesday to satisfy with federal leaders as he seems to safe extra federal support for Southern California, by which no less than 29 folks died. The fires destroyed greater than 13,000 buildings, contributing to greater than $250 billion in whole damages, in line with climate forecasting service AccuWeather.
MORE: Trump excursions LA wildfires after threats to withhold support over water coverage, voter ID
Newsom was the primary Democrat to have an Oval Workplace sit-down since Trump was inaugurated. His workplace mentioned the governor additionally met with members of Congress from each events.
White Home officers inform ABC Information that the leaders’ assembly lasted for greater than an hour.
“I stay up for extra productive conferences and I stay up for the spirit that defines the conferences of today – that spirit of cooperation, collaboration,” the governor mentioned in a video on social media.
It comes virtually two weeks after the president toured the injury in Los Angeles, the place Newsom and Trump had a cordial change on the tarmac upon the president’s arrival.
“We’re seeking to get one thing accomplished, and the way in which you get it accomplished is to work collectively. He is the governor of the state, and we’ll get it accomplished,” Trump mentioned on Jan. 24 in Los Angeles. “They will want quite a lot of federal assist. We’ll maintain issues.”
VIDEO: Trump’s Central Valley dam water launch may sign battle forward
Critics say splitting California’s dams and aqueducts into dueling authorities businesses might be harmful, and doubtlessly lethal.
The pleasant exchanges marked a change within the two leaders’ intermittent relationship. Previous to the president’s January go to to the Golden State, Newsom mentioned he had not spoken to Trump since he left workplace after his first time period in 2021.
It stays unclear if Trump will nonetheless put situations on federal catastrophe aid for California. He and different prime Republican Congressional leaders have mentioned they are going to connect situations to federal catastrophe aid, in search of adjustments to the state’s water insurance policies and forest administration, in addition to voter ID legal guidelines.
The Democratic governor, who has presidential aspirations himself, was one of many main voices of “resistance” to Trump’s first administration. Whereas the president has signed a barrage of govt orders fueling opposition from the left, Newsom has not been as vocal this time.
On the similar time, the governor’s Washington journey comes on the heels of the state legislature signing off on $50 million for anticipated authorized battles with Trump’s administration, a package deal of payments Newsom is predicted to signal as soon as he returns to California.
Copyright © 2025 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.
