Donald Trump visits Southern California: Here’s what happened

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – President Donald Trump was in Southern California touring what is left of the Pacific Palisades, calling what he saw ‘unbelievable’. Central Valley representatives Vince Fong and Tom McClintock were in attendance for a press conference following the tour. 

“I don’t think you can realize how rough it is. How devastating it is until you see it,” President Donald Trump said.

After a stop in North Carolina to tour damage from Hurricane Helene, President Trump and the First Lady landed at LAX and met with Governor Newsom on the tarmac. Although cordial, that meeting comes after a bit of feuding between the governor and president over the state’s response to the wildfires. 

“I’d say that there’s not a lot of love lost between those two,” Fresno State Political Science Professor Tom Holyoke said.

During today’s press conference, President Trump says he is ready to waive all federal permits, allowing rebuilding to start now. However, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass says hazardous materials need to be cleaned before rebuilding. Trump, also spoke against FEMA during his disaster zone visits today. 

“FEMA is not good anymore. What FEMA did in North Carolina, you know they haven’t even gone to certain areas,” Trump said.

The president is demanding Southern California allow water from the north to flow south.

“I’m signing an executive order to open up the pumps and valves in the north. We want to get that water pouring down here as quickly as possible,” Trump said. 

A plan that Central Valley Representative Vince Fong is on board with. 

“Us in the Central Valley and Northern California have catastrophic wildfires as well. California is a wildfire-prone area. So, ensuring reliable, stable water supplies is critical. So, your leadership, your executive order, moving more water, maximizing flows throughout the state of California. Building more water storage,” Representative Vince Fong said.

All of this comes after Trump’s threats to withhold federal aid from California for the state’s policies on forestry, immigration and now voter ID. 

“It’s a little disturbing to me that the president would try to condition disaster aid on changes in policy agendas. That’s not the way it’s been done in the past. It’s always been the case that when one part of the country is hurting, that no funds in disaster relief are provided without conditions,” Holyoke said.

Trump is eager to see Southern California rebuilt.

“I’ll be back and we’ll work very hard. And I hope you guys can start doing your cleanup tomorrow starting at around 12 o’clock,” Trump stated.

Friday’s press conference lasted over an hour and Trump’s visit to California lasted just over three hours.