TODAY: Trump Threatens to Withhold Wildfire Aid from California – Again

Washington, D.C. – Donald Trump is starting off his second term by running the playbook from his first, with more threats to hold wildfire aid hostage. In advance of his trip to California, Trump has spent the week issuing warnings that he will deny disaster relief funds to California if his list of unrelated political demands isn’t met, even drawing rebukes from members of his own party.

Climate Power communications director Alex Glass issued the following statement on Donald Trump’s visit to California:

“As new fires burn and threaten further devastation in Los Angeles, Donald Trump is spending the first days of his presidency issuing threats to withhold disaster relief instead of pledging immediate aid to Americans in desperate need of help. When people have their lives upended by disasters, it is the president’s job to help them rebuild. Families who have lost everything need help now and deserve leadership who will set aside politics and provide aid in times of disaster and crisis.”

Trump has a long record of withholding disaster relief: 

• In 2018, amid the deadliest and costliest wildfires in the state, Trump repeatedly blamed California leaders for the tragedy as he threatened to cut off federal aid. He withheld disaster relief funding due to the state’s political leanings, relenting only after being shown election results demonstrating that many of his supporters lived in affected areas. 

• In 2020, as California again faced historic wildfires, Trump initially denied the state’s emergency declaration request.  With over 4.1 million acres burned, California more than doubled its previous annual record. The wildfires killed 31 Californians and destroyed or damaged 10,500 structures.    

• In 2020, Trump reportedly withheld federal relief to Washington following wildfires due to his dislike of Democratic Governor Inslee, even after pleas from GOP Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers. The relief was only granted in February 2021, after President Biden took office.
• After Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico in 2017, Trump delayed over $20 billion in aid as thousands died as the island went without power for 11 months. 
• In 2017, Trump denied 99% of North Carolina’s requested funding for Hurricane Matthew, and in 2019, Trump diverted FEMA funding to immigration enforcement less than a week after Hurricane Dorian, which damaged over 1,000 homes and left thousands without power in the state.