The Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, has pledged to greet President Donald Trump at the airport when the President arrives in Los Angeles today.
The Democrat has promised to roll out the red carpet for Trump, who will be touring sites that have been ravaged by the deadly wildfires.
Trump visit comes as wildfires continue to burn across California.
Wildfires have been burning since January 7 and the Hughes Fire, which started on January 22, is raging in Los Angeles County.
Nine blazes are currently burning across the state, according to the state’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
The fires have torched more than 50,000 acres of land in total, gutted at least 16,000 buildings, and killed at least 28 people across the state.
Trump and First Lady Melania will land at Los Angeles airport this afternoon.
The First Family will be going to an area ravaged by the Palisades fire, as reported by the CW affiliate KTLA-TV.
Trump will also visit a fire station and sit down for a roundtable chat.
The president will be greeted by Newsom, but he will not be joining Trump on his tour.
But, Newsom will meet him at the bottom of the steps of Air Force One.
Newsom stated, “I am looking forward to meeting the President on the tarmac to express my gratitude, welcome him, and ensure that all necessary resources are provided for a successful briefing,” during a press briefing.
“There’s no limit to the resources we’ll provide for that briefing.”
Trump and Newsom have clashed on several occasions over the response to the wildfires.
The president has threatened to withhold federal aid if Newsom doesn’t send more water from the northern part of the state to the south.
“He can release the water that comes from the north,” Trump told Fox News star Sean Hannity earlier this week.
He added, “There is a substantial amount of water, including rainwater and snowmelt from the mountains, that flows down, and there is such an excess of water that it is being released into the Pacific Ocean.”
Trump compared what unfolded in Los Angeles to a “nuclear weapon going off” as he shredded Newsom.
“What happened to the state is incredible,” he said.
Trump has pinned the blame on Newsom.
In a lengthy Truth Social tirade days before assuming office, Trump said: “I will demand that this incompetent governor allow beautiful, clean, fresh water to flow into California.
“He is to blame for this.
“On top of it all, no water for fire hydrants, not firefighting planes. A true disaster.”
Officials rushed to dismiss Trump’s suggestions that water availability is to blame.
He is to blame.
Donald Trump
Since Trump assumed office, Newsom has called for political point-scoring to be put aside.
“In the face of one of the worst natural disasters in America’s history, this moment underscores the critical need for partnership, a shared commitment to facts, and mutual respect — values that enable civil discourse, effective governance, and meaningful action,” he said in a statement.
But, he has called out Trump over misinformation claims.
The Hughes Fire, which is affecting residents in Los Angeles County, has burned more than 10,000 acres.
It is 56% contained, according to officials.
Meanwhile, the Palisades fire, which ignited on January 7, is 77% contained – more than two weeks after it broke out.
The Palisades fire has burned more than 23,000 acres and continues to rage.
The Eaton Fire, which has been burning for more than two weeks, is 95% contained after scorching more than 14,000 acres of land.
Fires have also broken out in Riverside and San Diego Counties.
The blazes have been named as the Gibbel and Gilman Fire respectively and are 0% contained.
