...
By Aila Slisco
Writer
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said on Monday that Republicans might demand "conditions" to grant emergency aid for California as wildfires continue to devastate areas in and around Los Angeles.
Newsweek reached out for comment to Johnson's office via email on Monday.
Why It Matters
Congress typically grants aid for major natural disasters without debate. One week before President-elect Donald Trump takes office for his second term, Johnson and some other Republicans may instead choose to make the aid a political issue by singling out the country's largest Democrat-controlled state during an emergency.
Read More on News
What To Know
"I think we ought to have a serious conversation about that," Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, told CNN's Manu Raju after being asked whether the House would provide aid "without any conditions at all" on Monday. "Obviously, there's been water resource mismanagement, forest management mistakes, all sorts of problems."
"It comes down to leadership," he continued. "It appears to us that state and local leaders were derelict in their duty in many respects, 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. We'll see what the consensus is."
Johnson went on to say that "conditions" would definitely be "part of the discussion" on aid for California while adding that there had been "some discussion" about tying the aid to Trump's demands for a federal debt limit increase.
Meanwhile, on his social media platform Truth Social, President-elect Donald Trump called for California Governor Gavin Newsom to resign. Trump has also blamed the governor for the latest wildfires, accusing him of prioritizing environmental policies, including protections for the endangered delta smelt fish, over the needs of Californians.
On Friday, Newsom sent a letter to the president-elect, asking him not to "politicize" the tragedy and to come and "see the devastation firsthand."
...
What People Are Saying
Representative Jared Moskowitz, a Florida Democrat, in a post to X, formerly Twitter: "This is a Mistake. If you start this, it will never end. 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."
Democratic strategist Sawyer Hackett in a post to X: "Aid to Israel? Unconditional. Aid to the largest state in the US that's currently on fire? Conditional."
Independent journalist Glenn Greenwald on X: "Mike Johnson thinks there should be 'conditions' on aid to California but not on aid to Israel."
Democratic influencer Harry Sisson on X: "WTF??? Speaker Mike Johnson just said that there should be conditions on aid to California 'I think there should be conditions on that aid.' The people in California are Americans who are suffering and Johnson wants to play games? Disgusting."
Conservative internet personality Nick Sortor on X: "Speaker Johnson says there should be CONDITIONS on any aid Congress approves for California ... I agree! If there aren't conditions, the LA and California governments will undoubtedly use much of the money to fight Trump, fund illegals, etc. And then do NOTHING to prevent this catastrophe from happening again."
What Happens Next
President Joe Biden said in a statement on Monday that he was "laser-focused on helping survivors and we will continue to use every tool available to support the urgent firefight as the winds are projected to increase," while promising to "respond promptly to any request for additional federal firefighting assistance."
He added: "At my direction, hundreds of federal personnel and unique federal aerial and ground support has been sent to California to support the firefighting efforts and help communities in need."
However, Biden will be leaving office just before Trump's inauguration on January 20, at which point all federal emergency aid for California from both the White House and Congress will be entirely under the control of Republicans.
Follow Newsweek's live blog as we provide live updates on the Los Angeles fires and their impact.
Update 1/13/25, 4:43 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines