Biden fiercely reacts to Trump regarding hurricane response
The president stated his intention to travel to North Carolina to assess the damage.
TroibNews 
President Joe Biden revealed plans on Monday to visit North Carolina, which has suffered severe damage from Hurricane Helene, while expressing frustration over former President Donald Trump’s claim that he had not been actively involved in the disaster response.
During a press interaction from behind the Resolute Desk at the White House, Biden appeared visibly irritated when confronted with his predecessor's remarks.
“He’s lying,” Biden stated. “I don’t know why he does this. And the reason I get so angry about it — I don’t care what he says about me — but I care what he communicates to the people that are in need. He implies that we’re not doing everything possible. We are.”
In addressing what has become a recurring aspect of politics surrounding natural disasters, particularly heightened in an election year, Biden also defended his choice to work over part of the weekend from his beach house in Delaware.
“It’s 90 miles from here,” Biden explained in response to whether he regretted going to Delaware from Washington. “And I was on the phone the whole time.”
Biden announced he would be traveling to Raleigh on Wednesday to meet with the Emergency Operations Center and conduct an aerial survey of the affected areas. He also expressed intentions to visit Georgia and Florida “as soon as possible.”
Trump, who previously faced scrutiny for his handling of Hurricane Maria, criticized Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday for not being in Washington over the weekend and for delaying their travel to the impacted region. He accused Biden of “sleeping” at his beach house and alluded to Harris's campaigning and fundraising activities in California and Nevada.
On Monday, Trump traveled to Georgia to receive updates on the damage and distribute relief supplies.
Meanwhile, Harris returned from Las Vegas and visited FEMA headquarters on Monday. A White House official stated that during her flight back, she connected with leaders of affected states, including Georgia Governor Brian Kemp. While at FEMA, she did not take questions from reporters but appeared visibly discontent when asked about the potential politicization of the response to Hurricane Helene.
Throughout the day, the White House reiterated its commitment to delivering federal resources to those affected by the storm. Earlier on Monday, Biden mentioned that he might request Congress to reconvene from its recess early in order to pass additional disaster funding to address the “broad and devastating impacts” of Helene.
“Homes and businesses have washed away in an instant. I want them to know we’re not leaving until the job is done,” Biden affirmed. He clarified that he was waiting to announce his travel plans to avoid hindering relief efforts.
When asked if he thought Trump’s visit would be disruptive, Biden replied: “I don’t have any idea.”
Regarding the potential need for further funding from Congress, Biden stated he was uncertain about the amount he may have to request. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell indicated that, at present, the federal disaster relief stockpile is adequate.
“We absolutely have enough resources from across the federal family,” Criswell asserted over the weekend during an appearance on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”
Following a recent funding measure passed by Congress, the disaster relief fund has been replenished to about $20 billion. Criswell estimated this funding would sustain disaster response and recovery initiatives at full capacity until early January.
However, if Congress fails to approve an emergency disaster aid bill in the coming months, FEMA might need to transition in January to conserve resources, potentially ceasing payments for reconstruction projects while still providing assistance for essential needs, according to Criswell.
After Helene struck Florida as a Category 4 hurricane on Thursday night, it ravaged the Southeast, leading to heavy rainfall, unprecedented flooding, and mudslides. The storm hit western North Carolina and rural sections of Tennessee and Georgia especially hard, completely displacing some residents and leaving thousands with limited access to food, water, and electricity.
Biden reported that over 100 people have died, with approximately 600 individuals still unaccounted for, partly due to disrupted cell service hindering communication with loved ones.
“Communities are devastated. Loved ones waiting, not sure if their loved ones are okay,” Biden remarked. “There’s nothing like wondering, ‘Is my husband, wife, son, daughter, mother, father alive?’”
Jennifer Scholtes contributed to this report.
Mark B Thomas contributed to this report for TROIB News
During a press interaction from behind the Resolute Desk at the White House, Biden appeared visibly irritated when confronted with his predecessor's remarks.
“He’s lying,” Biden stated. “I don’t know why he does this. And the reason I get so angry about it — I don’t care what he says about me — but I care what he communicates to the people that are in need. He implies that we’re not doing everything possible. We are.”
In addressing what has become a recurring aspect of politics surrounding natural disasters, particularly heightened in an election year, Biden also defended his choice to work over part of the weekend from his beach house in Delaware.
“It’s 90 miles from here,” Biden explained in response to whether he regretted going to Delaware from Washington. “And I was on the phone the whole time.”
Biden announced he would be traveling to Raleigh on Wednesday to meet with the Emergency Operations Center and conduct an aerial survey of the affected areas. He also expressed intentions to visit Georgia and Florida “as soon as possible.”
Trump, who previously faced scrutiny for his handling of Hurricane Maria, criticized Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday for not being in Washington over the weekend and for delaying their travel to the impacted region. He accused Biden of “sleeping” at his beach house and alluded to Harris's campaigning and fundraising activities in California and Nevada.
On Monday, Trump traveled to Georgia to receive updates on the damage and distribute relief supplies.
Meanwhile, Harris returned from Las Vegas and visited FEMA headquarters on Monday. A White House official stated that during her flight back, she connected with leaders of affected states, including Georgia Governor Brian Kemp. While at FEMA, she did not take questions from reporters but appeared visibly discontent when asked about the potential politicization of the response to Hurricane Helene.
Throughout the day, the White House reiterated its commitment to delivering federal resources to those affected by the storm. Earlier on Monday, Biden mentioned that he might request Congress to reconvene from its recess early in order to pass additional disaster funding to address the “broad and devastating impacts” of Helene.
“Homes and businesses have washed away in an instant. I want them to know we’re not leaving until the job is done,” Biden affirmed. He clarified that he was waiting to announce his travel plans to avoid hindering relief efforts.
When asked if he thought Trump’s visit would be disruptive, Biden replied: “I don’t have any idea.”
Regarding the potential need for further funding from Congress, Biden stated he was uncertain about the amount he may have to request. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell indicated that, at present, the federal disaster relief stockpile is adequate.
“We absolutely have enough resources from across the federal family,” Criswell asserted over the weekend during an appearance on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”
Following a recent funding measure passed by Congress, the disaster relief fund has been replenished to about $20 billion. Criswell estimated this funding would sustain disaster response and recovery initiatives at full capacity until early January.
However, if Congress fails to approve an emergency disaster aid bill in the coming months, FEMA might need to transition in January to conserve resources, potentially ceasing payments for reconstruction projects while still providing assistance for essential needs, according to Criswell.
After Helene struck Florida as a Category 4 hurricane on Thursday night, it ravaged the Southeast, leading to heavy rainfall, unprecedented flooding, and mudslides. The storm hit western North Carolina and rural sections of Tennessee and Georgia especially hard, completely displacing some residents and leaving thousands with limited access to food, water, and electricity.
Biden reported that over 100 people have died, with approximately 600 individuals still unaccounted for, partly due to disrupted cell service hindering communication with loved ones.
“Communities are devastated. Loved ones waiting, not sure if their loved ones are okay,” Biden remarked. “There’s nothing like wondering, ‘Is my husband, wife, son, daughter, mother, father alive?’”
Jennifer Scholtes contributed to this report.
Mark B Thomas contributed to this report for TROIB News
