Trump joined by Newsom in L.A. for Palisades Fire tour, emergency briefing

In Los Angeles this month, Governor Gavin Newsom was awaiting the arrival of Air Force One at the bottom of its steps.

left in its wake widespread destruction caused by severe flooding months earlier.

Now, we're going to take a tour with some local people. I appreciate the governor joining me," Mr. Trump said to reporters, extending his hand to Newsom. "We want to resolve this issue. We want to solve the problem.

"Like getting hit by a bomb, right?" Mr. Trump said to Newsom before the governor addressed the press.

We're counting on your support. We're counting on your assistance. You stood with us during the COVID crisis. Please believe me, I won't forget that. And I have every expectation that we can work together successfully.

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We're looking to get something done," said Mr. Trump. "And the way you accomplish that is to work collaboratively. He's the governor of this state... and they'll require a significant amount of federal assistance.

for our support efforts to provide aid to those affected by the wildfire in Los Angeles County.

If we only focus on the federal assistance and how it is being delivered to the affected communities to support rebuilding efforts, then that's the main thing we should be concentrating on right now, not discussing the various types of conditions involved.

During his later visit, Mr. Trump spoke to local officials about federal assistance and stated, "The federal government is standing fully behind you."

We need to work together to get this all resolved," Mr. Trump said. "We'll be back to celebrate very soon, hopefully soon. The federal government has your back 100%. The First Lady and I are in California to show our deep appreciation for the people of California.

About an hour after landing, President Trump strolled through a neighborhood where streets were lined with wreckage and the remains of houses where buildings once stood. He chatted with Los Angeles firefighters and law enforcement officers, as well as meeting with local homeowners during his visit.

This is a very difficult time, but what gives me hope is that I met with many homeowners, and every single one of the ones I met with said they want to rebuild.

After the tour, President Trump attended a fire emergency briefing along with Mayor Karen Bass, County Supervisor Kathryn Barger and other officials. He was accompanied by several members of California's congressional delegation, including Democratic Representative Brad Sherman, who represents the area impacted by the Palisades Fire.

It's something you can't truly grasp, the severity of it, until you see it with your own eyes," Mr. Trump said during the briefing. "What I saw on TV was bad, but the full extent of it, the magnitude, we got a glimpse of when we flew over it in a helicopter and visited some of the affected areas - it's utter devastation.

During the meeting, Councilwoman Traci Park, who represents Pacific Palisades, requested continued federal support to permit residents to return home.

"I am requesting that we continue our partnership with FEMA and the EPA, as well as other federal agencies, to ensure that we have the commitment and cooperation across all levels of our government to get these individuals back to their homes," Park said.

Launched in the region this week by local and state authorities.

The governor has disputed Mr. Trump's claims.

Mr. Trump is not expected to visit the area ravaged by the Eaton Fire, where at least 17 people lost their lives in a wildfire, now considered one of the deadliest and most destructive on record in California's history. According to Cal Fire, over 10,000 homes, businesses, and other structures have been heavily affected.

Congresswoman Judy Chu, who represents Altadena and Pasadena, advocated for the communities affected by the Eaton Fire.

I've seen the destruction in Palisades, but Altadena is facing an apocalyptic situation," Chu said. "The area is nearly uninhabitable, with 9,500 structures destroyed. Most of the loss of life has been in our area affected by the Eaton Fire, and thousands of working-class people are homeless.

On Friday night, President Trump left Los Angeles, while the First Lady took a separate flight to Florida.