Newsom Warns: LA Wildfires May Be "the worst natural disaster in US history"
He additionally declared an executive order aimed at suspending certain environmental regulations to facilitate the rebuilding process following the wildfires.
TroibNews 
California Governor Gavin Newsom stated on Sunday that he believes the wildfires affecting Los Angeles County could become the worst natural disaster in U.S. history “in terms of just the costs associated with it, in terms of the scale and scope.”
During an interview with NBC’s Jacob Soboroff on "Meet the Press," Newsom remarked, “Currently we're getting confirmation from the coroners, so we always have to be careful on the death toll, but it's in the 13 range, and I've got search-and-rescue teams out. We've got cadaver dogs out. And there's likely to be a lot more.”
In the same interview, Newsom revealed an executive order aimed at suspending certain environmental regulations to facilitate the rebuilding process following the wildfires. He also mentioned an independent investigation into water supply issues, highlighting concerns about a reservoir that services Palisades not being full.
“We've got to be thinking three weeks, three months, three years ahead at the same time we're focusing on the immediacy, which is life safety and property,” Newsom said. “And so that's exactly what we're doing with disaster assistance, making sure people are getting their applications, addressing the issue of fraud.”
Regarding the upcoming independent investigation, Newsom expressed his desire to understand “what the hell happened,” emphasizing the importance of gathering accurate information. He rejected suggestions that the investigation would serve to “pass the blame” onto others, affirming his “full faith in the community” and “leaders,” including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, when questioned about his confidence in her leadership.
“We're all in this together. We're all better off when we're all better off, and we're all better off when we're working together to take care of people and to make sure people are supported,” Newsom said. “And we're here not just in the immediacy of the crisis, but we're here after the crisis, as opposed to creating a crisis in the middle of this by trying to divide people and play political, take cheap political shots.”
In response to President-elect Donald Trump’s recent criticisms of Newsom, including blaming his water policies that protect a fish species for the wildfires, Newsom stated that he had invited Trump to visit California.
“I called for him to come out, take a look for himself. We want to do it in the spirit of an open hand, not a closed fist. He's the president-elect. I respect the office,” Newsom explained. “We had support from the president of the United States, Joe Biden, with 100% reimbursement, all the resources you could hope for, imagine, constant communication. I'd like to extend that to the president-elect.”
On "Fox News Sunday," Vice-President-elect JD Vance remarked that Trump “would love to visit California” but criticized Newsom for his policies.
“That mis- and dis-information I don't think advantages or aids any of us,” Newsom responded. “Responding to Donald Trump's insults, we would spend another month. I'm very familiar with them. Every elected official that he disagrees with is very familiar with them.”
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
During an interview with NBC’s Jacob Soboroff on "Meet the Press," Newsom remarked, “Currently we're getting confirmation from the coroners, so we always have to be careful on the death toll, but it's in the 13 range, and I've got search-and-rescue teams out. We've got cadaver dogs out. And there's likely to be a lot more.”
In the same interview, Newsom revealed an executive order aimed at suspending certain environmental regulations to facilitate the rebuilding process following the wildfires. He also mentioned an independent investigation into water supply issues, highlighting concerns about a reservoir that services Palisades not being full.
“We've got to be thinking three weeks, three months, three years ahead at the same time we're focusing on the immediacy, which is life safety and property,” Newsom said. “And so that's exactly what we're doing with disaster assistance, making sure people are getting their applications, addressing the issue of fraud.”
Regarding the upcoming independent investigation, Newsom expressed his desire to understand “what the hell happened,” emphasizing the importance of gathering accurate information. He rejected suggestions that the investigation would serve to “pass the blame” onto others, affirming his “full faith in the community” and “leaders,” including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, when questioned about his confidence in her leadership.
“We're all in this together. We're all better off when we're all better off, and we're all better off when we're working together to take care of people and to make sure people are supported,” Newsom said. “And we're here not just in the immediacy of the crisis, but we're here after the crisis, as opposed to creating a crisis in the middle of this by trying to divide people and play political, take cheap political shots.”
In response to President-elect Donald Trump’s recent criticisms of Newsom, including blaming his water policies that protect a fish species for the wildfires, Newsom stated that he had invited Trump to visit California.
“I called for him to come out, take a look for himself. We want to do it in the spirit of an open hand, not a closed fist. He's the president-elect. I respect the office,” Newsom explained. “We had support from the president of the United States, Joe Biden, with 100% reimbursement, all the resources you could hope for, imagine, constant communication. I'd like to extend that to the president-elect.”
On "Fox News Sunday," Vice-President-elect JD Vance remarked that Trump “would love to visit California” but criticized Newsom for his policies.
“That mis- and dis-information I don't think advantages or aids any of us,” Newsom responded. “Responding to Donald Trump's insults, we would spend another month. I'm very familiar with them. Every elected official that he disagrees with is very familiar with them.”
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
