Gavin Newsom criticizes Donald Trump for withholding aid from Los Angeles firefighters
California Governor Gavin Newsom did not mince his words when addressing the current lack of federal aid to victims of the Los Angeles wildfires, accusing President Donald Trump of having done nothing over the past nine months.
The governor called out Trump, along with House Speaker Mike Johnson, at a news conference Wednesday, just hours after it was revealed that a suspect, named Jonathan Rinderknecht, had been arrested in connection with the Palisades fire in January.
While Newsom applauded the U.S. Department of Justice and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for their work in the investigation, he made it clear he wasn’t exactly enthusiastic about Trump and other Republican leaders.
“The president of the United States and Congress have refused to support those who have been victims of this arson and devastation,” Newsom told reporters. “Thirty-nine billion dollars – for months and months – and the President of the United States said nothing. The Speaker of the House said he was not interested in helping the American people who have been devastated, whose lives have been torn apart here in Los Angeles.”
He continued: “Where is the responsibility, in this regard? Where is the spirit that defines the best of this country, to be there for our fellow Americans in times of recovery and uncertainty. It’s been months. Not a word from the President of the United States. Not a word from President Johnson… They have done nothing.”
Newsom posted a similarly scathing message on X, in which he accused the president of “abandoning Americans while building ballrooms and decorating his office in gold.”
He concluded: “It’s disgusting and disqualifying. »
However, Newsom failed to mention how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers both assisted in different phases of the fire, including removing hazardous materials from the scorched earth.
It’s been over 9 months since the Los Angeles fires.
We have been asking for federal disaster assistance for months.
Not a dollar from Trump.
He abandons the Americans while building ballrooms and decorating his office in gold.
It’s disgusting and disqualifying. pic.twitter.com/4K4ly14p7u
– Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) October 9, 2025
Additionally, in March, Newsom said aid from the U.S. Small Business Administration and Federal Emergency Management Agency exceeded $2 billion.
“This federal disaster assistance provides much-needed relief to affected homeowners, renters and businesses struggling with loss and damage,” Newsom wrote at the time. “California is grateful to President Trump and our federal partners for making this recovery a priority. »
Newsom was apparently instead referring to the nearly $40 billion he requested from Congress earlier this year. The sum was intended to address a number of post-fire issues, including unemployment assistance, housing repairs and even wildfire prevention tactics.
