President Trump may visit California to witness wildfire devastation and show support for affected families and firefighters
Los Angeles: So, Kathryn Barger, a county supervisor, has invited Trump to check out the wildfire damage in California. Even Governor Newsom is on board, saying it’s all about being open and supportive.
Trump’s team is chatting about a possible visit to see the destruction firsthand. It’s a good sign, but we can’t be sure he’ll actually go. Still, he should take that invite and head to California soon after he’s in office.
Why? Well, he really needs to see the devastation that’s hard to grasp from afar. Fires are still raging, and those Santa Ana winds are no joke.
A visit would let him show some compassion for families who’ve lost everything and give a nod to the brave firefighters battling the flames. This could be a chance for him to step away from his usual tough guy image and show a little heart.
Now, I know it’s hard to believe he’d change his ways, but these fires are something we’ve never seen before. The scale of the destruction is just massive.
Plus, his back-and-forth with Newsom isn’t helping anyone. Sure, California leans Democratic, but the folks affected by these fires come from all political backgrounds.
California leaders are facing a lot of heat over their handling of the situation, and throwing blame around won’t help those struggling to recover.
If Trump visits, he might see how misinformation online is messing with firefighting efforts. FEMA is working hard to combat false claims, which is taking up valuable time and resources.
There are even more reasons for him to consider heading west. This disaster is huge, and he should focus on deploying resources for recovery instead of his immigration plans.
After big disasters, immigrants, many undocumented, have played a key role in rebuilding. The area hit by the fires is massive, and California will need all the help it can get.
But with Trump back in the White House, we might see a clash between tough immigration policies and the need for labor to help rebuild.
Los Angeles County is home to over 9.5 million people, which is almost 3% of the U.S. population. Just think about it—L.A. County has more residents than 41 states!
Sure, there’s a bit of a show when politicians tour disaster sites. The photo ops are planned out, but seeing the destruction firsthand hits differently. No briefing can prepare you for the reality of a community in ruins.
Newsom probably didn’t expect to be confronted by a mom asking why there was no water in the hydrants outside her kid’s school. That kind of pain sticks with you.
Barger, who invited Trump, is a popular moderate Republican. She represents areas hit hard by the fires, and her invitation is both heartfelt and politically savvy. It’s easier for Trump to accept a fellow Republican’s invite than one from a Democratic governor.
But maybe the best reason for Trump to visit is simple: showing up for a state that will be struggling to rebuild is what true leadership is all about.
This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
