By Ricardo Roura
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass met with President Donald Trump this Wednesday afternoon at the White House to address the issue of the city’s recovery after the wildfires of January 2025.
Accompanied by Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn BargerBass met with Trump in the Oval Office, to advocate for the families who were affected and lost their property due to the Eaton and Palisades fires.
In a joint statement, Bass and Barger said that had a very positive meeting with Trump regarding the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other funds for reconstruction.
Keep reading: Gavin Newsom demands $220 million dollars spent by DHS on advertising for Los Angeles
“(Also) about the president’s support for us to continue putting pressure on insurance companies to pay what they owe, and for big banks to step in to ease financial pressure on Los Angeles families“Bass and Barger said.
“Our job is to fight for our communities. When it comes to this recovery, Our federal partners are essential and we appreciate the president’s support“they added.
On January 7, 2025, the Palisades and Eaton fires broke out in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, which caused the death of at least 31 people and material losses of tens of billions of dollars.
Keep reading: California leaders criticize Trump’s order on rebuilding after fires
According to Cal Fire, The Palisades Fire burned 23,448 acres, destroyed 6,833 structures, and damaged 973 more buildings.in the Pacific Palisades and Malibu areas.
The Eaton Fire burned 14,021 acres, with 9,418 structures destroyed and 1,073 more damagedin the communities of Altadena and Pasadena.
A few days after assuming the presidency, on Friday, January 24, 2025, Trump traveled to tour the area devastated by the wildfires in Los Angeleswhere he met with local leaders.
Keep reading: Trump wants to take the lead in rebuilding Los Angeles after fires
“We have to work together to make this really work. We will celebrate again soon, I hope soon. The federal government supports them 100%. The First Lady and I are in California to express great love for the people of California,” Trump declared during his visit.
On December 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsomcalled on the president to keep his promise to help Los Angeles recover.
“That commitment is not being fulfilled and, instead, survivors are being left behind. It’s time for Trump to react and do his job“Newsom said during a visit to Washington DC
Keep reading: As Los Angeles burned, Trump sparked the flames of the next disaster
Fire survivors described Dealing with insurers and filing claims as the biggest obstacle to recovery.
Keep reading:
· They ask Trump for funds to rebuild areas affected by the Eaton and Palisades fires
· Fires in Los Angeles: one year after the Eaton and Palisades disasters, what’s next?
· Cost of $164 billion from fires in Los Angeles, according to UCLA analysis
