Biden cancels Italy trip in final days of his presidency to focus on federal response to LA wildfires
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President Joe Biden has canceled his scheduled trip to Italy this week in order to prioritize the federal response to the devastating wildfires burning across Los Angeles. The White House confirmed the cancellation late Wednesday, just days before Biden was set to leave.
In a statement, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre explained that after returning from Los Angeles, where Biden had met with local law enforcement, emergency personnel, and firefighters, the president decided to remain in the U.S. to manage the federal efforts to combat the fires. Earlier that day, Biden approved a Major Disaster declaration for California in response to the escalating crisis. At the time of the announcement, several wildfires, driven by fierce winds, were still raging across Los Angeles County. Authorities had already issued evacuation orders in various areas, including the Hollywood Hills near Runyon Canyon. The fires had caused significant devastation, and California Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed there had been at least five fatalities, with the number expected to rise.
Newsom, speaking on CNN, compared the current fires to the infamous 2018 Paradise fire, one of the most destructive in California’s history, calling the situation “complete and utter devastation.” He added that the fires were “approximating Paradise,” underscoring the severity of the ongoing disaster.
Biden was originally scheduled to travel to Rome on Thursday, where he had planned to meet with Pope Francis, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Italian President Sergio Mattarella. Additionally, Biden was set to hold a likely final meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, marking an important diplomatic event in the final days of his presidency. During the planned visit, the president was expected to discuss global peace efforts, particularly Pope Francis’ humanitarian initiatives. National security spokesperson John Kirby also noted that Biden was to highlight the strong bilateral relationship between the U.S. and Italy and commend Meloni for her leadership during Italy’s G7 presidency. The trip would also include a key announcement regarding a new $50 billion loan agreement for Ukraine, facilitated by the G7 nations.
The First Lady, Jill Biden, had been scheduled to accompany the president to Italy. She planned to meet with Cindy McCain, the Executive Director of the World Food Program, to discuss increasing humanitarian aid to tackle some of the world’s most pressing crises.
This is not the first time domestic emergencies have forced President Biden to change his travel plans. In October, he postponed a planned visit to Germany and Angola as Hurricane Milton made landfall. Similarly, Biden had been slated to visit California’s Coachella Valley earlier this week to designate a new national monument. However, the rapidly intensifying wildfires in Los Angeles led to the cancellation of that event.
The president’s response to the fires was a focal point of his visit to California. On Wednesday, Biden met with local officials in Santa Monica, where he received updates on the firefighting efforts and the overall damage caused by the fires. Speaking to the media, Biden assured Californians that the federal government was fully committed to providing all necessary resources to combat the fires and support recovery efforts.
He also emphasized the long road ahead, stating, “It’s going to be a hell of a long way, it’s going to take time, but the federal government is here to stay as long as you need it and everything you need.” Biden’s words reflected his commitment to ensuring that the federal response would be robust and enduring, as the state dealt with one of its most challenging natural disasters in recent memory.
While the decision to cancel the trip to Italy marked a significant shift in Biden’s schedule, it highlighted the president’s dedication to overseeing the federal response to the crisis at home. As wildfires continue to threaten communities in Los Angeles County, Biden’s decision reinforced his focus on addressing the immediate needs of those affected and leading the nation’s recovery efforts.
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