Washington – Gov. Gavin Newsom’s official reason for visiting Washington this week was in response to federal disaster aid caused by wildfires in Los Angeles County.
But the California Democratic governor also has another goal: to continue to repair his rocky relationship with the commander-in-chief.
“It’s a familiar familiarity, and there’s a relationship of crisis surrounding Kuved,” Newsom said in an interview Thursday. “I want to go back to that space.”
The governor sat down at the Oval Office on Wednesday for a 90-minute session with the president for “real substantive” and “positive” conversations that included wildfire recovery and more difficult topics such as water policy and bills on the Newsom table, Increase legal funding to challenge the president’s actions in court.
Newsom’s expedition to the Republican White House shows how his attitude towards Trump evolves: from a Democratic fighter and outspoken election cycle to a politician who longs to move beyond “noise” and work hard to work together to benefit Californians.
“In times of need and crisis, people need to see their representatives work together,” Newsom said. “I don’t have patience with people who don’t work together in crisis.”
As the highest Democrat in a country that elected Trump in November, crossed party boundaries and rebuilded a bond with the same man nicknamed him as “News Rescue” and previously blamed him for wildfires if the governor had a president Ambition can also help his own political career. Wednesday’s visit appears to be the first meeting of the president during his second term with any Democratic governor.
“This is not Newsom’s first rodeo, and he realizes it will not be his last disaster,” said Jack Pitney, a political professor at Claremont McKenna College. “If he is to be an effective governor, he must maintain an open communication line with the White House. If he doesn’t, he will not be an effective governor, which will make it difficult for him to progress politically.”
The relationship between Newsom and Trump appeared to be improving in real time when the president visited Los Angeles to investigate wildfire losses two weeks ago.
Newsom patiently waited on the apron at Los Angeles International Airport to greet and embrace the president. Newsom praised Trump for his pledge to support the recovery of wildfires in minutes without mentioning conditions for his threat to exchange for aid earlier in the day.
“When we got off the apron, I felt like I was in the conversation 4.5 years ago,” Newsom said of the quick transfer to kindness in his first face-to-face speech since Trump returned to the office.
After a brief airport chat and a phone call the next day for 30 minutes, Trump’s daily criticism of the governor stopped most of the time. Newsom has been careful not to immediately react to everything Trump says or does, but rather to speak up beautifully when he thinks California values are under attack.
“It’s the next level and complex charisma offensive,” said Democratic adviser Robin Swanson.
Newsom is not alone. Gar Culbert, a political science professor at California State University Los Angeles, said other governors across the country are also trying to figure out how to get needles with the president.
“The Trump administration is trying to prove the strength of the federal government at the expense of states, and News No hopes that the country will be independent and exercise a certain sovereignty, but it also relies on federal funds to obtain a large number of projects and plans.” explain.
Newsom tries to restore the delicate balance he achieved at the beginning of his first term.
In 2019, he walked through the burnt remains of heaven with then Trump and then Gove. Jerry Brown is behind the deadliest wildfires in state history. The COVID-19 pandemic hit next year, forcing Newsom to serve as governor, relying on Trump to use the country’s supply of protective equipment and seek other federal support.
White House spokesman Karoline Leavitt said in a briefing Wednesday afternoon that Trump “loved” his investigation into the remains of the Pacific Palisades fire.
“He was very inspired by the frustrations of the residents there, and he was devoted wholeheartedly to ensuring that water flows in California to prevent these wildfires and that people could use their property,” Leavitt said. The president “continues to put a huge pressure on Newsom” , Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass allows people to return to private property.
Pacific Palisades reopened residents last week, although curfews are still being placed and debris is being cleaned.
“The president is willing to do the best thing for the American people with anyone from a blue or red state,” Levitt said.
Newsom spokesman Brian Ferguson said federal wildfire aid largely supports those affected.
Cities, counties and states apply for ongoing fees, such as providing shelter, fire resources and debris removal. At the time President Biden promised to pay back 100% of the fire response costs in the first six months, but the Trump administration will need additional support as communities begin to rebuild.
“Ongoing partnerships and support from the federal government will be crucial not only for the state, but also for buildings and recovery to move to the next stage,” Ferguson said.
Newsom said the conditions for federal wildfire aid did not appear under “clear conditions” during Wednesday’s conversation, nor did it detail how long Trump will comply with Biden’s promise to reimburse expenses. Before Trump landed in Los Angeles last month, he told North Carolina journalists that aid to California would depend on the state’s adoption of voter identity laws, among other requirements.
The governor said he praised the work of the Environmental Protection Agency during the first phase of dangerously clearing wildfire debris.
On a more controversial subject, Newsom also said he told Trump that he would sign a bill sent to his desk by a pair of California lawmakers at a special session, giving the Trump administration $50 million in a bill to the Trump administration Challenges and support legal services to immigrants.
“I said I never used the ‘King-Defense’ phrase,” Newsom said. “I said, I did this because we have had to resort to the actions you have taken, and the actions you have taken in the past may be again It happens. We have different perspectives on these things.”
Newsom laughed when asked about Trump’s response.
“As you expected,” Newsom said. “I won’t be involved. But that’s why it’s a long conversation.”
Newsom said the president also “reminds me of what we said during the campaign.”
California Republican Chairman Jessica Millan Patterson called on the governor to push for a special conference bill while seeking help from President Trump. ”
“Halfiness is shocking,” Milan said in a statement. ” Rather than taking part in a political game and positioning yourself in 2028, we should focus Newsom on solving the real problems facing Californians – homelessness, failed schools and forcing families and The affordability crisis that businesses flee.”
The area of State Sen. Henry Stern (D-Calabasas) is affected by wildfires, saying Democrats are ready to fight Trump when necessary, but the disaster requires them to work together.
“The governor does the right thing, and he speaks humbly,” Stern said. “Something can be cut open.”
Luna reported from Sacramento, Washington.
