As Joe Biden and Kamala Harris prepare to pack up and leave the White House, they’ve taken a moment to convene with senior officials for a briefing on the Los Angeles wildfires—a crisis that has spiraled under their watch. With homes still smoldering and lives forever changed, the timing of this meeting feels less like genuine concern and more like an eleventh-hour attempt to paper over their administration’s glaring shortcomings. For many Californians, the gesture comes too little, too late.
The devastation speaks for itself. Over 12,000 structures have been reduced to ash, at least 24 lives have been lost, and the damage is now estimated at a staggering $150 billion. Adding insult to injury, California’s own leadership, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, faces growing scrutiny for gutting fire department budgets and failing to maintain critical infrastructure like reservoirs. Perhaps if more energy had been spent on fire preparedness rather than political theater, some of this destruction could have been avoided.
President Biden’s solution? A one-time payment of $770 to wildfire victims. Yes, $770—a number that feels more like a punchline than meaningful aid. For perspective, this amount might cover a couple of tanks of gas and a cheap microwave, but it’s hardly going to help families rebuild their lives. Meanwhile, the administration has found $500 million to ship off to Ukraine in military aid, because apparently, foreign wars take precedence over Americans sifting through the rubble of their homes. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin assured everyone that Ukraine considers this funding essential, but try telling that to Californians who’ve lost everything.
Vice President Kamala Harris, never one to shy away from a bit of rhetorical fluff, encouraged Californians to “find patience” in this “unprecedented crisis.” The advice fell flat, as residents grappled with the reality that their homes are gone, and their futures are uncertain. Adding to the chaos, hundreds of homeowners discovered their insurance policies had been canceled. Insurers like State Farm claim financial strain from frequent wildfires as their justification, leaving families with no safety net just when they need it most.
This wildfire crisis has exposed a troubling pattern of misplaced priorities and failed leadership at every level. From a government more focused on optics than solutions to insurance companies walking away from their commitments, the situation highlights a widening disconnect between those in power and the people they serve. As the Biden-Harris administration exits the stage, their legacy in California will be one of disappointment, leaving families to wonder if anyone in Washington truly has their back.
Kamala to wildfire victims: "It's critically important that, to the extent you can find anything that gives you an ability to be patient in this extremely dangerous and unprecedented crisis, that you do." pic.twitter.com/zjV2KVxr8u
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) January 14, 2025
