Newsom Thanks Trump for Response to Wildfires

By Dana Cruz Sep 15 2020, 06:49 AM EDT

President Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom joined a roundtable discussion Monday on the massive wildfires engulfing the Golden State and much of the West Coast.

California Governor Gavin Newsom And Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf Speak On State's Actions On Homelessness Crisis — OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 16: California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a a news conference about the state's efforts on the homelessness crisis on January 16, 2020 in Oakland, California. Newsom was joined by Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf to announce that Oakland will receive 15 unused FEMA trailers for the city to use as temporary housing and as mobile health and social services clinics for the homeless. Newsom signed on executive order on January 8 to deploy 100 trailers and crisis response teams to areas in need across the state. Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Newsom acknowledged that he and Trump both had different views regarding climate change and its role in the wildfires. Despite this, they set aside partisan politics.

Newsom thanked Trump for the help coming in from the government to help the state. California had received support to combat the blazes.

He noted that there is still much more to be done to solve the problems regarding the fires as they continue to grow.

"I want to thank you and acknowledge the work you have done to be immediate in your response," Newsom said to Trump. He added that the help from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was "profoundly significant."

A disaster declaration in California was approved by Trump in late August, at the urging of Newsom. It ordered federal funding to be directed to the state.

The meeting was held at the Sacramento McClellan Airport, said a Fox News report. The exchange between Trump and Newsom was one-on-one on live television, said the Associated Press.

Differences in Points of View

The reports also noted how Newsom "dropped fiery tone" he had recently held about climate change. He engaged in a respectful conversation that hailed their good relationship as leaders to which Trump agreed.

"We actually have a very good relationship. Good man," the President said of Newsom.

Last week, Newsom declared that he had "no patience" for those who deny climate change. He said he believes such people "disabuse ourselves of all the B.S. that's being spewed by a very small group of people."

Yet, on Monday, Newsom told Trump that they "can agree to disagree" on the matter. He asked the President to "please respect... the difference of opinion out here."

Trump and Newsom had butted head in the past. They repeatedly did so in their first terms in office. Newsom stressed that he acted as he did during their meeting not to gain political points.

"That was an opportunity to remind him of a point he's very familiar with," he said in his visit to Camelot Equestrian Park in Oroville. He added that he let his point come across "in an honest and forthright way."

Creek Fire Grows Rapidly Near Shaver Lake, California — A home is completely destroyed after the Creek Fire swept through the area on September 8, 2020 near Shaver Lake, California. by David McNew/Getty Images

During his visit to Oroville, he said the record-breaking fires should end all debate about climate change.

"I'm a little bit exhausted that we have to continue to debate this issue," he said. "This is real and it's happening. This is the perfect storm."

The Oroville park was charred, left with only smoky mountain terrain, said a report from Reuters.

The North Complex fire first broke out in August. It burned across over 200,000 acres this week and killed at least 10 people. The blaze raged near Oroville and nearby communities.

Some 100 wildfires raged across the West Coast over the weekend. These burned a total area that is nearly as large as the state of New Jersey. It put half a million people under evacuation alert in Oregon and spouted thick smoke across three states.