Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) took aim at “misinformation” during a briefing on the deadly wildfires in Los Angeles with President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
Newsom and Bass have come under intense scrutiny over the preparedness for the fire outbreak in the City of Angels this week, which has led to the deaths of at least 10 people and an estimated billions of dollars in property damage. The briefing was held in a hybrid format Friday, with Biden and Harris in the Oval Office, while Newsom, Bass, and Federal Emergency Management Administration Administrator Deanne Criswell joined via video call.
The California governor detailed the devastation of the fast-spreading fires, which were amplified by “hurricane force winds, the likes of which we’ve never imagined in our lifetime,” and concluded by expressing concern over misinformation about the fires.
"There are hurricane force winds of mis- and disinformation. People want to divide this country. We'll have to address that as well. It breaks my heart. … You wonder where this stuff comes from."
— California Gov. Gavin Newsom during wildfire briefing with Biden and Harris pic.twitter.com/AOdhTu2xKO
— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) January 10, 2025
“We’ve got to deal with this misinformation. There were hurricane-force winds of mis- and disinformation — lies,” Newsom said. “People want to divide this country, and we’re gonna have to address that as well. And it breaks my heart, as people are suffering and struggling that we’re up against those hurricane force forces as well.”
“And that’s just a point of personal privilege that I share that with you because it infects real people that are out there. People I meet every single day, people the mayor has been meeting with, and they’re having conversations that are not the typical conversations you’d have at this time be in,” he added. “And you wonder where this stuff comes from, and it’s very damaging as well, but, but we’re here to get the job done, to be here for folks to focus.”
Newsom also praised FEMA and the Biden administration for their vows to support California in its recovery. He noted that “we have a leader in the Oval Office right now” when discussing Biden, in an apparent swipe at President-elect Donald Trump, who has been highly critical of Newsom’s handling of the fires and returns to the Oval Office in 10 days.
“I cannot impress upon you, personally, on behalf of 40 million Americans that live in the great state of California, how proud we are of you, the vice president, and your leadership,” Newsom said.
During the briefing, Biden emphasized a need for affected parts of Los Angeles to be built back better and blamed much of the destructive nature of the infernos on climate change.
“There are certain things we can do to prevent things from being — if the same thing occurred from as much damage occurring. And that costs money, but it also saves money. There is climate change. There is climate change. This is part of it. We have to deal with it,” Biden said.
Criswell also emphasized that “the entire federal family” will be with state and local officials in Los Angeles “throughout this entire recovery journey” as residents and businesses rebuild from the destruction.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The disaster comes less than two weeks before Biden leaves the White House and Trump returns to the head of the executive branch. Biden said during the briefing the incoming administration knows “every single thing we are doing about the response.”
As of Friday afternoon, the Palisades Fire is only 8% contained, while the Eaton Fire is only 3% contained. Other fires, including the Hurst and Lidia fires, have more containment, while others, like the Sunset fire, have been fully contained.
