Biden cancels Italy trip over the raging Los Angeles wildfires
President Biden canceled a scheduled trip to Italy because of the wildfires raging in Los Angeles, the White House announced Wednesday night.
“After returning this evening from Los Angeles, where earlier today he had met with police, fire and emergency personnel fighting the historic fires raging in the area and approved a Major Disaster declaration for California, President Biden made the decision to cancel his upcoming trip to Italy to remain focused on directing the full federal response in the days ahead,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.
Biden, 82, had been planning to head to Rome Thursday immediately following the Washington, DC, funeral for the late former President Jimmy Carter.
Biden was slated to separately meet with Pope Francis, Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during the four-day trip.
The White House previously said the outgoing commander in chief planned to discuss efforts to advance peace around the world during his audience with the pope and the “important challenges facing the world” during his now-canceled meeting with the Italian leaders.
Stay up to date with the NYP’s coverage of the terrifying LA-area fires
Earlier Wednesday, Biden issued a major disaster declaration for California which will make federal funds available to affected individuals in Los Angeles County.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) official Curtis Brown has been appointed to coordinate federal recovery operations in the fire-stricken areas.
Funds and other forms of federal relief could be made available to additional counties as damage assessments continue, the White House said.
At least five people have been killed and thousands of structures have been destroyed by the fast-moving flames that started to engulf the Los Angeles area on Tuesday.
Los Angeles firefighters were battling several separate major fires, each larger than 10 acres, as of Wednesday evening, and all were 0% contained, according to CalFire.
The largest inferno — the Palisades Fire— has torched nearly 16,000 acres.
