"A massive Los Angeles rebuilding effort will be shaped by the president-elect who disrupted the release of disaster aid to Democratic areas during his first term."

"President-elect Donald Trump will have wide authority over Los Angeles’ recovery from the wildfires that have decimated areas of the city — even though President Joe Biden approved disaster aid in the final days of his term.

Trump’s control is raising fears among California officials including Gov. Gavin Newsom that the incoming president will delay or block rebuilding from a disaster that is expected to be one of the costliest in U.S. history.

Newsom has been publicly warring with Trump, whose approval he will need for billions of dollars in federal funding to help Los Angeles County recover from wildfires that have burned 40,000 acres and destroyed 3,200 buildings."

Thomas Frank and Scott Waldman report for E&E News January 14, 2025. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"‘Unthinkable’: Dems Rebuke GOP For Conditioning Wildfire Aid" (E&E News) [3]

"'Conditions' Should Be Placed On California Wildfire Aid: House Speaker Mike Johnson" (USA TODAY) [4]