With President Biden now in political retirement, California Governor Gavin Newsom He quickly became one of President Trump's top targets.
Minutes into his second term as president, Trump used his inauguration speech inside the US Capitol to target the Democratic governor of the most populous state in the country.
“Our country can no longer provide basic services in times of emergency.” Trump argued. He pointed to “Los Angeles, where we see the fires still tragically burning for weeks without even a deposit of defense.”
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President Trump delivers his inaugural address after taking the oath inside the rotunda of the US Capitol on Monday, January 20, 2025. (Chip Somodevila/Getty Images)
Trump this month repeatedly criticized Newsom's handling of the horrific wildfires that have devastated parts of the state metropolitan los angeles, Killing nearly 30 people and forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes.
POLITICAL STORM: Newsom defends efforts to fight horrific fires in California
The governor's press office quickly responded, posting on social media four photos of firefighters tackling the fires.
Trump is scheduled to head to California on Friday to get a first-hand look at the firefighting and recovery efforts.
“I'm going there on Friday to see him and bring him back,” Trump said at a rally on the eve of his inauguration in the nation's capital. “We're going to have some of the best construction companies in the world. We're going to bring it back.”
Newsom, who called Trump more than a week ago To CaliforniaHe said in a statement on Monday after Opening ceremonyHe added, “I look forward to President Trump visiting Los Angeles and rallying the full weight of the federal government to help our fellow Americans recover and rebuild.”
He stressed “finding common ground and pursuing common goals” with the Trump administration.
“In the face of one of the worst natural disasters in American history, this moment underscores the urgent need for partnership, a shared commitment to facts, and mutual respect – values that enable civil discourse, effective governance, and meaningful action.” He said.
California Governor Gavin Newsom tours the downtown business district of Pacific Palisades on January 8, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Eric Thayer/Getty Images)
“Where our shared principles align, my administration stands ready to work with the Trump-Vance administration to deliver solutions and serve the nearly 40 million Californians we jointly represent,” Newsom added.
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Newsom was one of the most prominent surrogates in the 2024 campaign for Biden and later former Vice President Kamala Harris, who replaced Biden last summer as the Democrats' nominee.
The governor, who is term-limited and likely has national ambitions in 2028, was an outspoken critic of Trump during the 2024 campaign, and has taken the lead in leading the Democratic Party's resistance in the wake of Trump's presidential election victory.
