California Gov. Gavin Newsom is asking President Donald Trump to give people affected by the Los Angeles-area wildfires more time to apply for federal aid.
The request, backed by the state’s 52 U.S. House members, will be an early test of the fraught relations between Newsom and Trump, who have clashed over wildfires and disaster aid.
It will also put a spotlight on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s acting administrator, Cameron Hamilton, a Trump appointee who has been visiting the wildfire area since Tuesday. Hamilton, a former Navy SEAL who has never been an emergency manager, is being scrutinized by Congress’ oversight arm to determine if his appointment as acting administrator fell outside the constraints of federal law.
Californians have until March 10 to seek emergency assistance from FEMA, which gave residents the customary 60 days to apply for aid following a presidential disaster declaration. FEMA can approve deadline extensions and has done so on many occasions.
