House Speaker Mike Johnson says conditions may be placed on federal aid to California amid catastrophic wildfires because of what he said are issues with local leadership.
While talking to reporters on Monday, the Louisiana Republican said that there should be “conditions” on proposed federal aid to California following the deadly fires still burning in the Los Angeles region.
“Obviously there’s been water resources management, forest management mistakes, all sorts of problems. And it does come down to leadership and it appears to us that state and local leaders were derelict in their duty in many respects,” Johnson told reporters at the Capitol. “So that’s something that has to be factored in. I think there should probably be conditions on that aid. That’s my personal view.”
Florida Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz responded to the remark in a post on X, saying: “This is a mistake.”
“If you start this, it will never end,” he said. “When Dems retake the House, they will condition aid to Florida and Texas. Disaster Aid must stay non partisan. I would fight democrats should they try and do this. The Speaker can find many other ways to hold people accountable.”
At least 24 people have been killed in the fires, which have destroyed thousands of homes and businesses and are threatening to burn even more.
Other high-ranking Republicans have called for conditions to be placed on federal aid given to California.
During a Sunday interview with CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso of Wyoming blamed “policies of the liberal administration” for the large scale of the fires.
“I expect there will be strings attached to money that is ultimately approved and it has to do with being ready the next time because this was a gross failure this time,” Barrasso said.
Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin said in an interview with Newsmax that he would not vote for aid “unless we see a dramatic change in how they’re gonna be handling these things in the future … These are decisions Californian Democrats have made … It’s their fault.”
As greater Los Angeles burns and California endures what may be its most costly disaster ever, President-elect Donald Trump has unleashed a volley of criticism at Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Trump said Wednesday that Newsom should resign as the fires raged and multiplied, posting on Truth Social: “One of the best and most beautiful parts of the United States of America is burning down to the ground. It’s ashes, and Gavin Newscum (sic) should resign. This is all his fault!!!”
Newsom’s director of communications Izzy Gardon fired back, saying on X last week: “The Governor is focused on protecting people, not playing politics, and making sure firefighters have all the resources they need.”
Trump and Newsom have entered a war of words before during a natural disaster. Back in 2019, Trump went on to lambaste California and Newsom for continually reaching out to Washington for aid to combat the fires.
“No more,” Trump said on X. “Get your act together Governor. You don’t see close to the level of burn in other states.”
Newsom responded on X that Trump doesn’t believe in climate change, so “you are excused from this conversation.” Newsom’s office then issued a lengthy statement detailing the state’s efforts at fire prevention.
Newsom’s office didn’t immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment about Johnson’s and other Republicans’ remarks about conditional aid on Monday.
Amid the talks of conditions and the war of words between Trump and Newsom, President Joe Biden announced Thursday that the federal government will cover the cost of wildfire response measures necessary to protect lives, including debris removal, shelter and first responder salaries for 180 days.
“We’re going to make sure you get every resource you need,” Biden said. At the end of the briefing, a reporter asked Biden whether he believed California would get the assistance it needs from the incoming administration.
“I’m not in a position to answer that question,” he said. “I pray to God they will.”
Contributing: Janet Wilson, Tom Vanden Brook and Sarah D. Wire
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
