Trump Demands California Voter ID Law as Aid Condition After Historic Wildfires

What Happened?

President Donald Trump visited California Friday to tour areas hit by the lethal wildfires that have extended into a third week.

This marked his first trip since returning to office for his second presidential term.

Trump said there were two things he wanted to see in Los Angeles while touring hurricane recovery efforts in North Carolina.

'Voter ID, so that the people have a chance to vote, and I want to see the water be released and come down into Los Angeles and throughout the state,' the president stated.

The area remains on high alert surrounding the raging conditions that continue to impact human life throughout the region.

'Conditioning aid for American citizens is wrong,' California Governor Gavin Newsom's office posted online with facts behind its voting laws.

Before departing the White House Friday, Trump told reporters the fires 'could have been put out,' but 'they still haven’t for whatever reason.'

He added, 'It would be fine if they turned the water on.'

Strong winds and bone-dry conditions have rapidly caused the latest Hughes Fire in northern Los Angeles County to spread over 10,000 acres, according to officials.

As of Friday, the Hughes Fire was reportedly 56% contained which promoted mandatory evacuation orders and warnings for more than 50,000 people.

Officials have updated the overall death toll from wildfires throughout the Southern California region to at least 28.

According to ABC News, 75% of the Palisades fire that burned more than 23,000 acres was contained as of Friday.

The Eaton fire that burned more than 14,000 acres was 95% contained.

Both blazes accounted for an area larger than the size of San Francisco and reportedly destroyed over 16,000 structures.

LA County Fire Department spokesman Fred Fielding told reporters it's been almost 300 days since the area had significant rainfall.

The National Weather Service forecasted rain for much of Los Angeles on Saturday with a 5-10% chance of significant debris in burn scar flooding.

Why it Matters

Tension has grown between the Trump administration and California government leaders amid the handlings of the wildfires.

Las Angeles Mayor Karen Bass recently issued an executive order to expedite cleanup efforts in burn areas that could create mudslides and debris flows.

Gov. Newsom recently announced $2.5 billion in relief to support Los Angeles after the historic wildfires.

In a post, Gov. Newsom said, 'We did this together with the legislature. It was passed unanimously. Bipartisan support. No conditions. No strings attached. We hope Congress and (President Donald Trump) will do the same.'

Trump has previously criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom over alleged past refusal to sign a water restoration declaration put before him.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has reportedly backed placing conditions on disaster assistance for California after criticizing mismanagement at the hands of state and local leaders.

Trump issued a memorandum last week that directed federal agencies to redirect more water from Northern California's Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to Southern California.

Some experts have reportedly claimed that increasing the water flowing south of the Delta is not likely to help Los Angeles with its water supply problem.

How it Affects You

The overall damages from the fires could reportedly cause as much as $250 billion in economic damage.

The Trump administration and members of Congress will soon be faced with critical economic decisions.

Limiting aid could significantly impact the future confidence of many along the congressional floor and create further division under new presidential leadership.