Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and County Supervisor Kathryn Barger met with President Trump at the White House on Wednesday to advocate for federal funding and support for families affected by the devastating January 2025 wildfires that ravaged the region.
The meeting, which took place in the Oval Office, marked a significant moment of cooperation between Los Angeles leaders and the Trump administration after more than a year of standoffs over wildfire recovery funding. According to the Los Angeles Times, Bass and Barger described their discussion with the president as “very positive.”
“This afternoon we met with President Trump and Administration officials to advocate for families who lost everything,” the two leaders said in a joint statement. “We had a very positive discussion about FEMA and other rebuilding funds as well as the support of the President to continue joining us in pressuring the insurance companies to pay what they owe—and for the big banks to step up to ease the financial pressure on L.A. families.”
Barger told reporters the meeting included a “high-level discussion” with President Trump, during which they shared stories about the daily struggles facing fire survivors. She said they “left details behind with the President,” though she did not specify whether Trump made any concrete funding or policy commitments.
The Palisades and Eaton fires, which erupted in January 2025, killed at least 31 people and destroyed approximately 16,000 structures across more than 37,700 acres. The blazes caused tens of billions of dollars in damage, and rebuilding efforts continue as residents navigate insurance claims and rising costs.
The meeting comes after California leaders, led by Governor Gavin Newsom, accused the Trump administration of withholding billions in critical wildfire aid. Fox News reported that the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced more than $3 billion in aid last June, while Newsom later sought $33.9 billion in additional federal funding. California officials filed a lawsuit alleging political bias in the delay of recovery funds.
Newsom visited Washington in December to renew calls for the $33.9 billion in federal aid but said he was denied a meeting with FEMA and would not confirm whether he attempted to meet with President Trump.
Earlier this month, President Trump criticized insurance provider State Farm on Truth Social for its handling of the Los Angeles County wildfires. “It was brought to my attention that the Insurance Companies, in particular, State Farm, have been absolutely horrible to people that have been paying them large Premiums for years, only to find that when tragedy struck, these horrendous Companies were not there to help!” Trump wrote.
The rebuke followed a February visit to Los Angeles by Trump administration officials, including Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, who held a roundtable with fire victims. During that trip, officials heard direct complaints from local leaders and fire victims about insurers being slow and insufficient with claim payouts. State Farm, facing roughly $7 billion in fire-related claims, is under formal investigation by California’s insurance commissioner.
Bass and Barger concluded their joint statement by expressing gratitude for the president’s support. “Our job is to fight for our communities,” they said. “When it comes to this recovery, our federal partners are essential, and we are grateful for the support of the President.”
The billions in recovery aid sought by California officials have not yet materialized, but Wednesday’s meeting could potentially give those discussions new momentum. The White House did not immediately respond to requests seeking comment about the meeting.
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