(KRON) — California Senator Alex Padilla is taking strong aim at comments made by President Donald J. Trump, in which the 45th and now 47th president criticized the state’s emergency response to the deadly Southern California fires.
In Trump’s speech, he said, “More recently, Los Angeles, where we’re watching fires still tragically burn from weeks ago, without even a token of defense. They’re raging through the houses and communities, even affecting some of the wealthiest and most powerful individuals in our country, some of whom are sitting here right now. They don’t have a home any longer. That’s interesting.”
The Palisades and Eaton fires both began on Jan. 7 and have since burned a total of 37,734 acres, according to Cal Fire. As of Monday, the Palisades blaze is 59 percent contained, while the Eaton fire has reached 87 percent containment. The cause of the fires remains under investigation. More than two dozen people have been reported dead.
Senator Padilla fired back at Trump’s comments on X, saying, “California is lucky to have some of the bravest first responders — over 16,500 from 12 states across the country –– working around the clock to protect communities from horrific fires in LA County. To suggest otherwise is a slap in the face to their service and sacrifice.”
Just hours earlier, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a statement on Trump’s inauguration, saying he looks forward to the president visiting Los Angeles and putting politics aside for the greater good of the state’s 40 million residents.
“In the face of one of the worst natural disasters in America’s history, this moment underscores the critical need for partnership, a shared commitment to facts, and mutual respect — values that enable civil discourse, effective governance, and meaningful action,” Newsom said. “I look forward to President Trump’s visit to Los Angeles and his mobilization of the full weight of the federal government to help our fellow Americans recover and rebuild.”
(KRON) — California Senator Alex Padilla is taking strong aim at comments made by President Donald J. Trump, in which the 45th and now 47th president criticized the state’s emergency response to the deadly Southern California fires. In Trump’s speech, he said, “More recently, Los Angeles, where we’re watching fires still tragically burn from weeks […]