California Gov. Newsom slows his Trump criticism as president visits fire sites

President Donald Trump visited California Friday, Jan. 24, to assess the damage from the ongoing fires in the Los Angeles area. And there to greet him when he arrived was a longtime foe, Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The Republican president and Democratic governor have been at odds for years, with Newsom criticizing Trump’s policies and behavior. Newsom recently struck a deal with lawmakers in Sacramento to set aside $50 million to “Trump-proof” his state via legal challenges to federal orders. 

But while the president has continued to fire at Newsom, doling out the nickname “Newscum” and not inviting him to an emergency briefing, Newsom said Thursday, Jan. 23, that he was ready to welcome the president.

“I look forward to being there on the tarmac to thank the president, welcome him, and we’re making sure that all the resources he needs for a successful briefing are provided to him,” Newsom told reporters in a briefing.

When Trump arrived on the tarmac Friday, he briefly spoke to reporters. Trump said, “I appreciate the governor coming out and meeting me,” before the two shook hands.

Newsom’s recent shift could make it easier for him and the president to agree on terms of aid for the state and its residents ravaged by fires.

President Trump and his Republican allies have suggested placing conditions on aid for California. They include requiring the state to adopt policies favored by conservatives, such as a voter ID law.

Conditioning aid on policy changes would be a largely unprecedented move. Since the establishment of FEMA in the 1970s, the federal government has helped states after natural disasters, regardless of which party controlled the state or the White House.

Newsom hasn’t been entirely silent in response to President Trump’s comments. As the president and Republicans accuse Newsom of not bringing in enough water to keep fire hydrants running, Newsom called out “mis- and disinformation” about water availability. However, he refrained from calling Trump out by name.

While fire hydrants ran dry in Pacific Palisades as the fire spread, officials say it wasn’t a water shortage. Instead, they say it was dropping water pressure as demand rapidly increased.