Your support helps us tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to big tech, The Independent is where the stories are unfolding. Whether we’re investigating the finances of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing ‘The A Word,’ the latest documentary highlighting American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to analyze the facts. Messaging.
At such a critical moment in American history, we need reporters on the field. Your donations allow us to continue sending journalists to tell both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across politics. And unlike many other quality news sources, we choose not to block Americans’ reporting and analysis with a paywall. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, and those who can afford it should pay for it.
Your support makes a big difference.
President Donald Trump and Gavin Newsom put up a united front on the tarmac at Los Angeles International Airport on Friday as they prepared to visit California to assess the damage caused by wildfires.
In brief remarks to reporters, Trump said Los Angeles looked like it had been “bombed” and later promised to support the state “100 percent.”
“This means so much to all of us,” Newsom said on the runway during Trump’s visit. “We’re going to need your support.”
Trump later threatened to cut off state disaster aid to LA firefighters, but also promised, “We will not let you down.”
The president’s visit comes as the Border 2 fire in San Diego County exploded Friday morning and quickly spread to more than 5,300 acres by Friday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles County-based Hughes Fire, which exploded Wednesday near Castaic Lake, has spread across 10,425 acres and is 79% contained. And the Laguna Fire, which started in Ventura County on Thursday, is now 70% contained after engulfing 94 acres.
Nine fires are burning across Southern California, including the deadly and destructive Palisades and Eaton fires.
forecaster expect Rain can help relieve some of the fire burden, but it can also release debris into former burn areas.
ICYMI: Trump called for California voter ID law for wildfire relief and threatened FEMA upon arrival in North Carolina.
president donald trump On Friday he said he would ask for it California Overhaul election laws and overturn environmental policies as conditions for federal funding to help states recover from disasters. forest fires It has devastated the Los Angeles area in recent weeks.
He also alleged that the Federal Emergency Management Agency mishandled efforts to help North Carolinians recover from Hurricane Helen, and that the White House and Republican National Committee We will somehow take over the distribution of relief funds approved by Congress. Trump took aim at FEMA as he arrived in Asheville, North Carolina, to see the damage from the hurricane and then went to California to see the damage from the wildfires.
President Trump said this to reporters immediately after getting off Air Force One. FEMAan agency within the Department of Homeland Security, has “really failed us.” But it’s unclear exactly what he’s accusing the Department of Homeland Security of doing or not doing.
“I don’t know if it’s Biden’s fault or whose fault it is, but we’re going to take over and do a good job, and we’re going to commit to the task. [Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley] Frankly, there are all these other people who are fantastic and who will work with the governor,” he said. “We will supply money, supply, lots of money. Maybe you need to chip something. You can add a small amount of 25% or so, but we will try to get it done as quickly as possible. And we want to take care of people. north carolina.”
Josh MarcusJanuary 25, 2025 09:30
Trump-Bass promise to speed up California’s rebuilding process
Donald Trump hammered California officials to speed up permitting, housing access and rebuilding regulations in the wake of the LA fires and promised to do the same at the federal level.
“We are essentially giving up all federal permits,” Trump said.
President Trump added that starting today he has been speaking with homeowners who are ready to rebuild.
“There are a lot of positions open right now and they want to start tonight,” he continued. “They will clear the site. They will do everything.”
Trump also insisted he ignore delays in the California Coastal Commission’s regulatory process, saying, “I’m not going to let them mess around.”
Community members in attendance said they were told by the federal U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that it would take 18 months to begin rebuilding, but Trump refused.
President Trump continued, “I am confident that we can record at least 18 days.” “Mayor, we are ready to begin.”
At one point, audience members began yelling at Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, saying she was not allowed to return to the streets or tour her home.
“We are committed to significantly easing restrictions to allow the recovery to proceed,” Bass said. “We’re bringing city departments together so people aren’t tied up in the process of getting from one room to the next.”
Josh MarcusJanuary 25, 2025 07:30
Trump to open California water pumps and valves with executive order
Donald Trump claims his executive order would essentially open unlimited water supplies to Southern California, a move he argued would have helped Los Angeles extinguish recent devastating fires.
But according to experts, it wasn’t a lack of water in reservoirs that caused pumps to run dry in Los Angeles, but problems with the water distribution system.
Josh MarcusJanuary 25, 2025 05:30
As wildfires continue, a ‘flood watch’ has been issued for some burn areas in Los Angeles.
Josh MarcusJanuary 25, 2025 03:30
A San Diego County resident recalled witnessing the Border 2 fire Thursday and said, ‘We thought everything was going to be okay.’
Roy Carmichael, 66, of the Pio Pico campground in an RV, recalled witnessing the Border 2 fire Thursday night.
He left the area around 2 a.m. Friday and was one of dozens parked at the Regal Edwards Rancho San Diego movie theater. The theater is one of three locations for displaced people.
Josh MarcusJanuary 25, 2025 02:30
Trump shocked by fire damage
Donald Trump is never one to mince words, but he seemed shocked by the extent of the damage caused by the Palisades fire in Los Angeles on Friday.
“I can’t believe it,” President Trump said as he walked by news cameras during a neighborhood tour. “I really can’t believe it.”
Josh MarcusJanuary 25, 2025 01:20