California Senator Urges Trump to Support Fire Recovery Without Conditions

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — As wildfires continue to devastate Southern California, Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) is calling on President-elect Donald Trump to provide federal aid for recovery efforts without political conditions. The fires, which have claimed at least 23 lives and destroyed thousands of homes, have left communities in crisis and raised questions about the future of federal support.

Padilla, who represents California in the U.S. Senate, emphasized the urgency of the situation during an interview with NPR‘s Morning Edition. “My heart goes out to the thousands and thousands of families that have either lost their homes or at least lost their sense of security,” he said. “We need to begin rebuilding, and we need the federal government’s help to do it.”

The Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, and Auto fires have burned over 40,000 acres, displacing residents and overwhelming local resources. Padilla, who grew up in Pacoima, a neighborhood in Los Angeles, has visited the hardest-hit areas and described the devastation as “as up close and personal as it can get.”

While President Joe Biden has pledged federal support, Padilla expressed concern about the transition to a Trump administration. Some Republicans, including Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama and House Speaker Mike Johnson, have suggested that disaster aid should be tied to changes in California’s wildfire prevention policies. Padilla rejected this idea, stating, “California’s always been there for other regions of the country in their time of crisis. And now it’s time for the country to be there for California, no strings attached.”

Padilla also addressed the challenges of rebuilding in fire-prone areas. “Where we can rebuild and should rebuild, let’s at least rebuild smarter, more sustainably,” he said. He highlighted the importance of using fire-resistant materials and modern building designs to reduce future risks.

In addition to the fire recovery efforts, Padilla is focused on the Senate confirmation hearings for Trump’s nominees. He warned that some nominees, such as Kash Patel for FBI director and Tulsi Gabbard for national security positions, could face tough scrutiny. “Public service is serious business,” Padilla said. “We’re not going to be shy about bringing concerns to the fore.”

As the fires continue to rage, Padilla remains committed to supporting his constituents. “If the fires flare up, I’m coming home,” he said. “But the service continues on both coasts.”