Trump criticizes LA fire response in inaugural address

Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times on Jan 20, 2025

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During his inaugural address on Monday, President Trump blasted what he called a government unable to protect its own citizens in times of crisis — including the people of Southern California impacted by the still-burning Palisades and Eaton fires, which have destroyed thousands of structures and killed at least 27 people.

Trump used the examples of Southern Californians and “the wonderful people of North Carolina, who were treated so badly” after Hurricane Helene this fall.

In Los Angeles, he said, “we are watching fires still tragically burn from weeks ago without even a token of defense.”

“They’re raging through the houses and communities even affecting some of the wealthiest and most powerful individuals in our country, some of whom are sitting here right now,” he said. “They don’t have a home any longer. That’s interesting.”

“We can’t let this happen. Everyone is unable to do anything about it. That’s going to change.”

Trump said, “we now have a government that cannot manage even a simple crisis at home while at the same time stumbling into a continuing catalogue of catastrophic events abroad.”