President Donald J. Trump toured North Carolina and California yesterday to assess the damage caused by recent natural disasters, highlighting delays in recovery efforts under the Biden-Harris administration.

During his visit, Trump participated in a roundtable discussion with local leaders in Los Angeles, where he openly criticized Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and others for their handling of wildfire recovery efforts.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass speaks at a press conference on Nov. 14, 2023, after a fire under Interstate 10 severely damaged the overpass in an industrial zone near downtown Los Angeles, Saturday on Nov. 11, 2023. The large blaze burned trailers, cars and other things in storage lots beneath a major highway near downtown Los Angeles, forcing the temporary closure of the roadway. It was announced at the press conference that repairs would take 3-5 weeks.

At the roundtable, Trump expressed frustration over the timeline for recovery, urging Mayor Bass to use her emergency powers to expedite the rebuilding process.

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“I just think you have to allow the people to go on their site and start the process tonight,” Trump said.

The discussion grew tense as Bass defended the city’s response, citing safety concerns.

“We want people to be safe,” Bass said, as some residents in the room voiced their dissatisfaction.

Trump countered by pointing out the prolonged delays preventing residents from returning to their properties.

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“I watched hundreds of people standing in front of their lots, and they’re not allowed to go in,” he said.

Trump further criticized the city’s permitting process, noting that residents had told him it would take 18 months to obtain permits to begin rebuilding.

“It’s all burned. It’s gone, it’s done. Nothing’s going to happen. The people are all over the place. They’re standing and they say… ‘We’re trying to get a permit,’” Trump said.

A local woman echoed the president’s concerns, shouting, “We can’t even see our homes right now!”

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Trump urged Bass to act decisively, saying, “You have emergency powers, just like I do, and I’m exercising my emergency powers. You have to exercise them also.”

Bass responded, “I did exercise them… and if individuals want to clear out their property, they can.”

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However, residents pushed back on her claim, alleging that bureaucratic hurdles continued to prevent progress.

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The challenges in addressing the wildfire damage highlighted broader infrastructure issues in Los Angeles.

Reports from The Los Angeles Times revealed that the city’s water systems had required repairs and upgrades since 2013, but the necessary work was not completed.

These delays have compounded the difficulties faced by residents and emergency crews in responding to the disaster.

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Trump’s criticism also touched on the inefficiency of local leadership, with the president calling for greater accountability.

“Everyone at that table should be fired, recalled, or lose re-election,” Trump said, emphasizing the urgency of immediate action to help residents rebuild.

The visit shined a spotlight on the frustrations of local residents, many of whom feel abandoned by the slow pace of recovery efforts.

Protesters in the room voiced their anger, demanding faster action to address the damage.

Trump’s push for quicker permitting and rebuilding resonated with many in attendance, who have grown weary of what they perceive as government inaction.

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The disaster response in California is part of a larger critique by Trump of the Biden-Haris administration’s handling of national emergencies.

The former president has repeatedly emphasized the importance of cutting red tape and empowering local communities to take swift action in the aftermath of disasters.

While the Biden-Harris administration has defended its efforts, Trump’s visit and pointed remarks highlighted ongoing frustrations with the pace of recovery in California.

The roundtable discussion served as a reminder of the challenges residents face as they navigate bureaucratic processes to rebuild their homes and communities.

As Los Angeles continues to grapple with the aftermath of the wildfires, Trump’s visit has placed a spotlight on the need for faster and more effective disaster response measures, leaving local leaders under increased pressure to deliver results.

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