As Donald Trump prepares to take office next week, he faces a major crisis in the ongoing wildfires devastating Los Angeles, with questions arising about his ability to handle the situation effectively.
According to CNN analyst Stephen Collinson, Trump’s track record during his first administration offers little reassurance. “Even if most of the flames are doused by Inauguration Day, the sudden prospect of finding billions of dollars in federal aid to rebuild miles of charred homes already threatens to complicate the task of passing Trump’s agenda with a tiny GOP House majority determined to cut federal spending,” Collinson wrote.
Trump, who is considering a visit to Los Angeles shortly after his inauguration, has framed the disaster as a failure of leadership by California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. He aims to contrast their response with his own “fix-it” image.
Speaking to Newsmax, Trump said, “I’m already putting my developer cap on,” signaling his intention to spearhead a massive reconstruction effort. However, Collinson expressed skepticism about Trump’s capacity to manage such crises empathetically, citing his previous approach to disaster relief.
“During his last spell in the White House, Trump sometimes suggested that he’d break with established practice and withhold disaster aid to create political leverage against Democratic jurisdictions,” Collinson noted. “He appeared to deeply resent sending hurricane aid to the US citizens of Puerto Rico, for instance, accusing ‘inept politicians’ of using ‘ridiculously high amounts’ to pay off other obligations.”
The wildfires, coupled with strained federal and state relations, highlight potential challenges for Trump’s early presidency. His critics fear he may politicize the crisis, much like his handling of COVID-19, where his initial efforts fizzled when the pandemic threatened his 2020 reelection campaign.
Trump has already signaled his intention to pressure California to overhaul environmental policies, warning state leaders that he might withhold federal support unless changes are made. “Trump’s supporters may see this as a legitimate use of presidential power to force California to change environmental policies that the incoming administration regards as key to causing the wildfires,” Collinson wrote.
“But attempting to use the power of the federal purse to compel policy changes in cities and states is a recipe for political tumult.”
As the crisis unfolds, Trump’s response could define his early presidency, but doubts remain about whether his approach will foster unity or deepen political divisions.
