Biden Vows to Fully Cover Los Angeles Wildfire Recovery as Trump Spreads Despicable Disinformation

President Joe Biden vowed to increase the federal government's funding to assist fighting the wildfires in Los Angeles "to 100%" as Donald Trump spreads disinformation.

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President Joe Biden vowed on Thursday that the federal government would fully cover the costs of wildfire recovery to “100%.”

“I’m announcing that the federal government will cover 100% of the cost for 180 days,” the President announced from the White House.

After California Governor Gavin Newsom asked for federal funding to be authorized to 90%, Biden said he would authorize it to 100% and added, “I told the governor and local officials, spare no expense to do what they need to do and contain these fires and in their communities that are really been devastated.”

Biden also pledged to use the full power of the federal government to help Southern California, including sending over 400 federal firefighters, more than 30 firefighting helicopters and planes and eight Department of Defense C-130s.

“The fact that the worst wildfire in Los Angeles history should happen in the dead of winter is another warning of the dangers of climate change. Extreme weather events will continue to happen regularly, and will get worse if we don’t tackle the climate crisis head on,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) warned from the Senate floor, noting that they had just passed “a sweeping disaster aid package precisely for these kinds of emergencies.”

This is what it looks like to have competent people in charge. People who do not withhold federal resources out of petty spite. People who care about every American, even the people who didn’t vote for them.

Despicable Lies

On the other hand, Trump is doing what he does best: Using a deadly catastrophe to spread despicable disinformation and blame about political opponents and just anyone who is in the Democratic Party, really.

Trump made up a lot of lies which I’m not going to repeat here. Instead, here are the facts.

The Dry Fire Hydrants

One reason the fire hydrants ran dry was due to lack of power, President Biden said. The power was turned off to avoid the power lines from starting an additional fire in the dangerous conditions of low humidity and high winds.

Generators are being brought in to address the power issue.

But also, the enormity of these fires is putting a huge burden on the water supply, and in an earlier press conference, the head of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Janisse Quiñones, said that 3 million gallons of water were available when the Palisades fire started but the demand was four times greater than "we've ever seen in the system."

There are 6 fires going at one time, requiring massive amounts of water.

But Biden, but Newsom

Trump is of course casting aspersions and blame onto Biden and Newsom, with many of his followers screaming about both men “cutting the budget” for Los Angeles.

Of course, neither man is responsible for the city of Los Angeles’ budget.

The city budget for firefighting was cut by city management and Mayor Karen Bass will need to answer for this decision. Due to the budget cuts, they were unable to perform some tasks to mitigate fire risks like the required brush clearance inspections.

Politicians parroting this man’s BS should be forced to acknowledge that they themselves intend to cut budgets exactly like this — this is exactly the kind of thing they mock when it comes time to make cuts — and it could well be catastrophic.

It turns out, governing is for adults. It’s boring. It costs money. It requires a willingness to learn about many things that have nothing to do with you. In other words, it is not a job for a man like Trump.

The people on the ground are doing the best they can to fight the fire. What they don’t need right now is a person who is eager to center himself, cast blame, politicize a tragedy while it’s still unfolding, and generally be one of the worst human presences possible in this situation. Or really, any situation other than as a member of the cast in a reality TV show.

How You Can HELP

The fires in Southern California are tragic and devastating. They need so much help.

Here are some ideas of how you can help, if you are in the position to do so. And if you are not in that position to provide financial support, please know that you are helping by staying engaged even when it’s painful and hard.

World Central Kitchen is serving meals to first responders and victims of the fire: click here.

LA Food Bank-Food Assistance after Fires, Earthquakes and other Disaster: click here.

Support firefighters by donating to CALFire click here and LA Fire Department click here.

American Red Cross, which provides shelter, food, health services, relocation assistance and emotional support.

Help Animals by donating to Animal Wellness Foundation (housing and caring for evacuated animals) and Pasadena Humane , which is helping smaller animals and as of January 8th, had already taken in over 300 animals due to evacuations.

For everyone who is impacted by the wildfires, our thoughts are with you. Jason and I would like to thank you all for helping us build a community here at The Daily and PoliticusUSA of people who care about others. Our community together is vital, especially at times like this.

What do you think about the federal response to the wildfires? Share your thoughts in the comments below.