Governor Gavin Newsom today urged President Donald Trump to fulfill his 18-month-old promise of federal recovery funding for Los Angeles wildfire survivors during the President's visit to the region. Families in Altadena, Pacific Palisades, and Malibu are still awaiting aid following the devastating January 2025 firestorms, despite President Trump's pledge in February 2025 to "take care" of them.
Newsom highlighted that multiple supplemental funding requests submitted to the federal government since February 2025 have not been approved, and committed funds continue to be delayed. "After more more than 18 months of delay, I hope President Trump's visit brings long overdue federal recovery funding directly to the families rebuilding after the LA wildfires," Governor Gavin Newsom said. "This is an opportunity for the President to honor his commitment to provide these survivors with the funding he promised them. There are moments that rise above politics. This could be one of them, Mr. President."
The Trump White House requested over $80 billion in supplemental funding from Congress in June for war costs, an Ebola outbreak, and farm relief for Florida, but notably excluded assistance for Los Angeles wildfire survivors. The President has yet to transmit a disaster recovery funding request to Congress for California's needs, leaving his promise unfulfilled.
Since the January 2025 Eaton and Palisades fires, California has processed and submitted over $1.5 billion in FEMA reimbursement claims for emergency response, infrastructure repair, and public facility restoration. However, FEMA has obligated only $37 million, approximately 2.5% of that amount. In the interim, the state has advanced its own matching funds to ensure recovery work, including debris removal from over 12,000 properties and emergency housing assistance, continues without delay.
California has also implemented measures to accelerate rebuilding, such as fast-tracking permitting, providing tax and mortgage relief, suspending certain building codes, and safeguarding survivors from price gouging. Governor Newsom has traveled to Washington and engaged with U.S. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and congressional leaders from both parties to advocate for the necessary federal support.
The federal government's partnership is critical for long-term recovery. Supplemental funding would facilitate the rebuilding of schools, childcare centers, homes, and vital community facilities, support small businesses and the economy, and restore damaged water systems and critical infrastructure.