Senate Confirms Rubio in 99 to 0 Vote, Cementing Trump’s First Official Cabinet Member– freebeacon.com Source Link Excerpt:
The Senate overwhelmingly confirmed Marco Rubio as America’s new secretary of state on Monday evening, fast-tracking the now-former Florida senator through a confirmation process in which he gained broad backing from lawmakers in both parties.
Senators voted to confirm Rubio, who was first elected to represent the Sunshine State in the upper chamber in 2011, in a 99 to 0 vote. During his confirmation hearing last week, Rubio earned praise from both Democrats and Republicans on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where he once served as a senior member.
Rubio takes over a State Department that aggressively pursued liberal policies under the Biden administration, including through diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives that cost millions in taxpayer dollars. Rubio and President Donald Trump both vowed to rein in the diplomatic agency by refocusing it on what the newly installed White House described Monday as an “America-First foreign policy.”
The Left Is Lying Again: Elon Musk Did NOT Give Any Nazi Salute– lidblog.com Source Link Excerpt:
The left is ginning up its lie machine again, this time claiming that Elon Musk gave a “Nazi salute” during his address on stage on Monday.
Musk took to the stage to deliver an enthusiastic thanks to supporters in the audience and around the world.
At one point he said a heartfelt “thank you” to everyone, the in a perhaps goofy gesture, put his hand to his heart and made a motion as if he was throwing or opening his heart to everyone.
He followed that up again saying thank you to everyone.
Anti-Trump Protesters Parade Bloody Guillotine Through DC During Inauguration– americanactionnews.com Source Link Excerpt:
Anti-Trump protesters paraded a bloody guillotine through Meridian Park in Washington, D.C., minutes ahead of President Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony Monday.
The guillotine, whose lunette reads “come get sum,” appeared alongside a number of anti-Trump banners, flyers and signs. The protesters’ messages ranged from declaring that “the people will defeat Trump’s billionaire agenda” to “all you facists [sic] bound to lose.” Another flyer claimed that “extreme heat is a climate disaster” ahead of the inauguration, which was moved indoors due to extreme cold.
One banner promised to “fight Trump’s agenda,” while promising to say “no to deportations,” “defend women’s and reproductive rights” and “stand with Palestine.”
Senate Passes ‘Laken Riley Act’ with Support from 12 Democrats– www.breitbart.com Source Link Excerpt:
The United States Senate passed the Laken Riley Act on Monday, a bill that requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to take illegal aliens who have been arrested, charged, or convicted of crimes such as theft, burglary, shoplifting, or larceny into custody.
In a 64-35 vote, the U.S. Senate passed the Laken Riley Act, hours after President Donald Trump was inaugurated into office.
Twelve Democrats were reported to have voted in favor of the Laken Riley Act, according to the Hill.
Prior to the vote, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) stated that the Laken Riley Act would “ensure that illegal aliens who steal or assault a law enforcement officer” would be detained “instead of being allowed out on the streets.”
“This legislation will ensure that illegal aliens who steal or assault a law enforcement officer are detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement instead of being allowed out on the streets,” Thune said. “I’m looking forward to getting this legislation to the president’s desk.”
POLLS: Democrat Party Has Collapsed to Worst Ratings in Decades– lidblog.com Source Link Excerpt:
A new CNN poll finds that the Democrat Party is at its lowest point on more than 30 years.
The poll, conducted for CNN by SSRS Opinion Panel found only 33 percent had a favorable view of the Democrat Part, the lowest since 1992.
It also found that 58 percent of those who said they are Democrats feel that the party needs “major changes” going forward. In 2022, that measured in at only 34 percent of Democrats who felt their party had stumbled.
Meanwhile, the number of Republicans who felt their party needed major changes went from 38 percent in 2022 to only 28 percent today.
CNN added:
Only 49% of Democratic-aligned adults say they expect their party’s congressional representatives to be even somewhat effective at resisting GOP policies, while more than 9 in 10 Republican-aligned adults expect their party’s congressional representatives — who now control both chambers of Congress — to be at least somewhat effective at passing new laws to enact their agenda.
Trump revokes security clearances of Hunter Biden laptop letter signatories– www.washingtonexaminer.com Source Link Excerpt:
President Donald Trump revoked the security clearances of the former intelligence officials who attempted to discredit the authenticity of the Hunter Biden laptop ahead of the 2020 election, as part of a slew of executive orders signed Monday evening.
The 51 former intelligence community officials claimed in an October 2020 letter that a New York Postreport about Hunter Biden’s laptop and its contents, had “all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation.” The New York Post story was dismissed by then-candidate Joe Biden and had its reach limited by various social media platforms, relying on the letter. The authenticity of the laptop was later confirmed by numerous media outlets, including the Washington Examiner.
President Donald Trump talks to reporters as he signs executive orders on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
As one of his many executive orders signed Monday evening, Trump revoked the security clearances of the letter’s signatories and former Trump national security adviser John Bolton.
The president said federal government policymakers rely on members of the intelligence community to provide analysis that is “free from politically motivated engineering to affect political outcomes in the United States” and argued that the people who signed the letter undermined that.
Trump, Vance Roll Their Eyes As DC Bishop Hijacks ‘Bipartisan’ Service With Liberal Screed– trendingpoliticsnews.com Source Link Excerpt:
In what was meant to be a solemn and unifying event, the so-called “bipartisan” prayer service in Washington, D.C. quickly took a turn when Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde seized the moment to deliver a pointedly liberal plea directly aimed at President Trump and Vice President JD Vance. The event, intended as a moment of national reflection, instead became yet another platform for progressive activism.
With cameras rolling, Budde launched into an emotional speech, imploring President Trump to “have mercy” on various progressive causes, including LGBTQ+ youth and illegal immigrants. Trump and Vance, visibly unimpressed, exchanged glances and appeared to roll their eyes as Budde pressed on with her politically charged sermon.
“Let me make one final plea, Mr. President. Millions have put their trust in you. And as you told the nation yesterday, you have felt the providential hand of a loving God. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now,” Budde pleaded. She then proceeded to highlight concerns for LGBTQ+ children and illegal immigrants.
Budde continued, “The people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings, who labor in poultry farms and meat packing plants, who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants and work the night shifts in hospitals, they may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors.”
Trump Grants Sweeping Clemency For Jan. 6 Political Prisoners– thefederalist.com Source Link Excerpt:
President Donald Trump pardoned nearly every defendant charged with crimes related to the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021 after his predecessor issued pre-emptive pardons for the rest of the Biden family moments before leaving office.
The freshly inaugurated president delivered the pardons in one of his first acts upon his triumphant return to the Oval Office. The executive order granted “full, complete, and unconditional pardons” to roughly 1,500 people and commuted the sentences of another 14. The total number of defendants charged is 1,583, according to The Hill.
“What they’ve done to these people is outrageous,” Trump said at the White House as he signed a pile of orders across the Resolute Desk.
While the pardon eliminates convictions for those who already served jail time, Trump ordered any remaining prisoners still incarcerated to be released immediately just hours after he characterized his inauguration at the Capitol as “liberation day.”
‘YOU’RE FIRED’: Trump admin removes ‘over a thousand’ Biden-appointed staffers ‘not aligned’ with MAGA | The Post Millennial– thepostmillennial.com Source Link Excerpt:
“My Presidential Personnel Office is actively in the process of identifying and removing over a thousand Presidential Appointees from the previous Administration.”
President Donald Trump and his incoming staff are in the process of firing over a thousand staffers appointed by the former outgoing Biden administration as the 47th President takes office. This comes after Trump signed dozens of executive orders on Monday, with some dealing with staffing of the executive branch and getting rid of DEI-related positions as well.
Trump posted on Truth Social early Tuesday morning, “Our first day in the White House is not over yet! My Presidential Personnel Office is actively in the process of identifying and removing over a thousand Presidential Appointees from the previous Administration, who are not aligned with our vision to Make America Great Again.”
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) is catching backlash for using ActBlue, a Democratic fundraising platform, to facilitate donations to California charities involved in wildfire recovery.
Warren posted an ActBlue link Saturday on X in support of two California charities but soon received a Community Note saying it “is not a link to charity. It is a link to a Democrat fundraising platform.”
When clicked, the link leads to a page with “Warren for Senate” at the top with descriptions of two charities, the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation and the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, below.
“Your full donation will directly support these two organizations,” the page says.
Rep. Karen Bass, D-Calif., who is reportedly on Joe Biden’s shortlist of potential running mates, eulogized one of the top members of the Communist Party USA in 2017 and called him a “friend and mentor.”
Politico reported that Bass praised Oneil Marion Cannon on Jan. 30, 2017, in remarks that were inserted into the Congressional Record. The eulogy failed to mention Cannon’s role in the Communist Party USA, the report said.
The report comes at a time when Bass has been trying to distance herself from past controversial comments on Cuba. She most recently told NBC News that she is “not a socialist. I’m not a communist. I’ve belonged to one party my entire life and that’s the Democratic Party and I’m a Christian.”
Bass praised Cannon for his service in WWII and his “fight against injustice” that spanned his entire life, from New Orleans — where he was born — to his time in Los Angeles where he “fought to become the first African American member of the Printer’s Union.” She said he was “deeply involved in politics” and belonging to the Independent Progressive Party.
Politico reported that Cannon was a top member of the Communist Party USA for decades. A spokesman from Bass’ office told the website that she has always been a Democrat.
“The Congresswoman is friends with Kevin McCarthy and is not a Republican,” the spokesman said. Bass never shared her political ideology with Cannon, the spokesman said.
LA wildfire insurance-loss estimates approach $40bn– www.moneyweb.co.za Source Link Excerpt:
The cost of wildfires ravaging swaths of Los Angeles keeps rising, with new estimates of the total losses for the insurance industry now seen as high as $40 billion.
The fresh figure Tuesday from Keefe Bruyette & Woods analysts is double their rough initial estimate from just a day earlier. In a note to clients, they cited “continuing upside insured loss potential” as the fires across the region remain largely uncontrolled. Their most optimistic scenario implies insured losses of $25 billion.
Los Angeles is bracing for increased fire risk through at least Wednesday as hot, dry winds pummel the area. After raging for a week, the blazes killed at least 24 people and incinerated entire neighbourhoods.
The containment of the Palisades and Eaton fires, which unleashed the most devastation over the past week, stood at 17% and 35%, respectively, as of Tuesday, according to California’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Allstate Corp, Travelers Cos and Chubb are the firms that could face the most gross primary losses from the fires, according to the KBW analysts.
However, insurers for high-net-worth homeowners such as Chubb, American International Group and Cincinnati Financial Corp, may have
LA Fire Chief Made DEI A Top Department Priority, Docs Show– thefederalist.com Source Link Excerpt:
Los Angeles Fire Department Fire Chief Kristin Crowley has been transforming the department with “diversity, equity, and inclusion,” according to documents obtained by The Federalist. Meanwhile, the department is strapped for resources — and city payroll glitches have left it struggling to even compensate its firefighters and paramedics correctly.
The city’s poor handling of recent wildfires sparked reports that Crowley and other department officials have been pushing DEI, with the diversity chief drawing a salary of $300,000. But The Federalist found Crowley, who has been fire chief since 2022, also distributed a “Strategic Plan” for 2023 to 2026 — advancing DEI across the department, as shown in various internal memos.
“Our Strategic Plan outlines our commitment to an organizational culture that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion,” Crowley wrote in a July 2023 memo to staff, which The Federalist obtained from a firefighter who wished to remain unnamed. “We have an opportunity to expand, innovate, and establish systemic equality and inclusivity throughout the organization.”
Crowley’s wording may sound innocuous enough, but DEI is the left’s favorite buzzword for racial discrimination.
Journalists Echo Gavin Newsom’s ‘Misinformation’ Talking Points on California Wildfires– freebeacon.com Source Link Excerpt:
‘Spreading as fast as the flames’
Wildfires are wreaking havoc on Los Angeles, a heavily Democratic city in a heavily Democratic state renowned for being a cesspool of corruption and incompetence. Naturally, the mainstream media have been arguing Republicans are to blame.
Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is inexplicably considered a strong contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, helpfully suggested “local folks” should “figure out” how to address the lack of water to fight the fires and found the time to sit down for a friendly chat with the Pod Save America bros. Newsom and Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass, who was traveling in Ghana when the fires started, are both Democrats, so mainstream journalists are unwilling (or fundamentally unable) to criticize their leadership in a time of crisis. “Speaking truth to power” only applies when Republicans are in charge.
Instead, the media have been regurgitating Newsom’s talking points about all the “hurricane-force winds” of right-wing “mis- and disinformation” swirling around on the internet, suggesting California’s elected (Democratic) leaders might have failed to adequately prepare for the wildfires, which are common in the Los Angeles area. MSNBC hosts and their guests appear to be competing amongst themselves to see who can come up with the dumbest puns involving fire-related disinformation, defined by most journalists as “information that makes Democrats look bad.”
Disinformation is “spreading as fast as the flames.” It’s “spreading, sorry to say it, like wildfire.” They’ve called it a “dumpster fire of disinformation,” as well as a “firehose, so to speak, of disinformation.” In this time of tragedy, it’s important to keep in mind that our nation’s esteemed journalists are indeed no less courageous than the actual firefighters combating the actual flames.
The movie producer took to Instagram Sunday to voice his dissatisfaction with insurance providers who have canceled plans in the state as wildfires become more common.
“Does anyone else find it appalling that insurance companies can take billions of dollars out of communities for years and then, all of a sudden, be allowed to cancel millions of policies for the very people they became rich on?” Perry wrote.
Videos on social media show LA firefighters using professional gear, not ‘women’s handbags’– www.politifact.com Source Link Excerpt:
As wildfires continue to burn this week in California, with more strong winds expected, disinformation also continues to spread.
A Jan. 9 Instagram post said, referring to the Los Angeles Fire Department, “The LAFD are using women’s handbags to hold water to put out fires.”
The video shows firefighters wearing yellow jackets and pouring water into what appears to be a plastic bag with two handles before throwing the water into a smoke-filled structure.
“California firefighters are using women’s handbags to fill them with water and pour it over flames in an attempt to extinguish the ongoing wildfires,” says a Jan. 10 Instagram post.
But the firefighters are using professional gear — not “women’s handbags.”
These posts were flagged as part of Meta’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and Threads.)
California’s Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, recently launched a website to combat disinformation about Southern California’s wildfires.
Jimmy Kimmel claims Donald Trump Thinks LA Firefighters “Aren’t White Enough”– www.louderwithcrowder.com Source Link Excerpt:
Donald Trump has only said positive things about the firefighters putting their lives at risk to fight a blaze that should have never gotten this bad in the first place. And he ESPECIALLY has not said anything about the skin color of any first responders. Despite these facts, Jimmy Kimmel decides to make up things no one has said to gaslight his viewers to believe his lies.
You cannot convince people Trump is racist if you solely resort to facts, which is why he is lying.
People take his word for this as if it were the Gospel, which is deeply concerning yet unsurprising given how naive one must be to choose to watch his show.
He does not even believe the crap he makes up, which is exactly why his voice cracked like that the moment he lied about the firefighters. Any criticism that has come out of Trump’s mouth or social media has to do with the incompetence of leadership from people like Newsom, not the ones actually risking their lives to put out their mess.
The blatant disregard for basic fire prevention is so appalling and has been predictable for years and something Trump has spoken about since at least his first term.
The fires are still raging in L.A. The incompetent pols have no idea how to put them out. Thousands of magnificent houses are gone, and many more will soon be lost. There is death all over the place. This is one of the worst catastrophes in the history of our Country. They just can’t put out the fires. What’s wrong with them?
People like Jimmy are objectively stupid. It seems he has no clue that “incompetent pols” is short for “incompetent politicians,” but that is neither here nor there. When Trump claims, “They just can’t put out the fires,” he is not talking about the first responders; he’s talking about the fact that officials did everything they could to make it nearly impossible to put out the fires.
Billionaire couple faces criticism over water control during Los Angeles wildfires – Yeni Şafak English Source Link Excerpt:
Stewart and Lynda Resnick, a billionaire couple who own around 60% of an important California water resource, have come under intense criticism for using more water than every home in Los Angeles combined, with critics arguing that their actions may be hindering efforts to contain the city’s ongoing wildfires.
The Resnicks, California’s wealthiest farming family, with a $13 billion fortune, have come under renewed criticism for their alleged overuse of water during Los Angeles’ worst wildfires in history, according to the UK’s Daily Mail.
The controversy traces back to 1994, when their advisors played a key role in the Monterey Plus Agreement, a deal that transferred the taxpayer-funded Kern Water Bank from public ownership to private control.
Originally designed to ensure a stable water supply during droughts, the bank is now seen as a tool benefiting private interests.
Bombshell Memo Spells Disaster for Karen Bass Amid California Wildfires – PJ Media– pjmedia.com Source Link Excerpt:
Over the past week, the raging wildfires in Los Angeles County have laid bare the ineptitude and misguided priorities of leadership at every level from the state to local government. Scrutiny of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has particularly intensified, and for good reason. For starters, she was in Ghana as the fires broke out, despite a pledge not to travel abroad. The optics were horrible, but the real scandal dates back at least two months.
In November, LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley sent a memo warning of severe staffing shortages and training gaps. The department was dangerously undermanned, yet the mayor’s office reportedly ignored or even buried the warning.
“Los Angeles fire chief Kristin Crowley warned city officials in November that her department had about half as many firefighters as it needed,” reports the Washington Free Beacon. “When deadly wildfires struck the city two months later, Mayor Karen Bass’s administration pulled Crowley’s memo from its website.”
The report reveals that on November 18, Crowley wrote to the city’s fire commissioners — a five-member board appointed by Bass — urging them to relay her concerns to Bass and the city council. She highlighted that the fire department’s staffing levels had remained stagnant for decades, even as the city’s population grew significantly.
Death toll from Palisades and Eaton fires climbs to 25. What we know about those killed – Los Angeles Times Source Link Excerpt:
The number of confirmed deaths from the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires climbed to 25 as of Tuesday night.
Nine of the victims died in the Palisades fire and 16 in the Eaton fire in Altadena, according to the Los Angeles County medical examiner and L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna.
Two of the victims have been officially identified by the medical examiner, and The Times has identified 12 others.
Victor Shaw, 66, died from smoke inhalation and burn injuries at his Altadena home, according to thyes, e medical examiner. Charles Mortimer, 84, of Pacific Palisades died in a hospital from a heart attack, smoke inhalation and burns, according to the medical examiner.
Additional Palisades fire victims include avid hang-glider Arthur Simoneau, 69; Australian child actor Rory Sykes, 32; Malibu surfer Randall Miod, 55; and Annette Rossilli, who was in her 80s.
Additional Eaton fire victims include Erliene Kelley, 83; father and son Anthony Mitchell Sr. and Justin Mitchell; Dalyce Curry, 95; Kim Winiecki, 77; Rodney Kent Nickerson, 82; Zhi Feng Zhao, 84; and Evelyn McClendon.
Fire tornadoes are a risk under California’s extreme wildfire conditions – The Associated Press Source Link Excerpt:
As if they aren’t already facing enough, firefighters in California also could encounter fire tornadoes — a rare but dangerous phenomenon in which wildfires create their own weather.
The National Weather Service warned Tuesday that the combination of high winds and severely dry conditions have created a “particularly dangerous situation” in which any new fire could explode in size. The advisory, which runs into Wednesday, didn’t mention tornadoes, but meteorologist Todd Hall said they’re possible given the extreme conditions.
24 dead as fire crews try to corral Los Angeles blazes before winds return this week– japantoday.com Source Link Excerpt:
Firefighters scrambled Sunday to make further progress against wildfires that have destroyed thousands of homes and killed 24 people in the Los Angeles area as forecasters again warned of dangerous weather with the return of strong winds this week. At least 16 people were missing, and authorities said that number was expected to rise.
The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings for severe fire conditions through Wednesday, with sustained winds of 50 mph (80 kph) and gusts in the mountains reaching 70 mph (113 kph). The most dangerous day will be Tuesday, said weather service meteorologist Rich Thompson.
“You’re going to have really strong gusty Santa Ana winds, a very dry atmosphere and still very dry brush, so we still have some very critical fire weather conditions out there,” Thompson said at a community meeting Saturday night.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone said 70 additional water trucks arrived to help firefighters fend off flames spread by renewed gusts. “We are prepared for the upcoming wind event,” Marrone said. Fire retardant dropped by aircraft Sunday will act as a barrier along hillsides, officials said.
Fierce Santa Anas have been largely blamed for turning the wildfires sparked last week into infernos that leveled entire neighborhoods around the city where there has been no significant rainfall in more than eight months.
House Republicans and Trump discuss tying California wildfire aid to debt ceiling– www.politico.com Source Link Excerpt:
A group of House Republicans and President-elect Donald Trump talked about tying wildfire aid to a debt ceiling increase Sunday night, as the fires spreading across huge swaths of Los Angeles are estimated to become one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history.
Of the nearly two dozen House Republicans who attended the Sunday dinner at Mar-a-Lago, where this option was discussed, several are caucus leaders and appropriators with major influence in upcoming budget reconciliation and government funding negotiations.
House Speaker Mike Johnson was not at the dinner, and no final decisions were made about the way forward, according to two people with direct knowledge of the private meeting, who were granted anonymity to discuss it.
Yet addressing the looming debt cliff will be one of Johnson’s biggest challenges in the coming months, especially as Trump continues to agitate for lawmakers to address it quickly. The Sunday night discussions prove Republicans are desperately looking for a plan before the nation is due to exhaust its borrowing authority in June — though Democrats and some Republicans are sure to balk at the prospect of linking disaster relief dollars to a politically charged exercise like extending the debt limit.
FCC Crews Stationed In Los Angeles To Track Wildfire Impact On Telecommunications. – Insideradio.com Source Link Excerpt:
Radio’s resiliency during a natural disaster has once again been on display in Los Angeles as wildfires continue to prompt evacuations and put lives at risk. No radio stations have been knocked off the air despite a close call last week at the Mount Wilson tower site. The Federal Communications Commission now says it has spectrum survey teams on the ground in the city at the request of state officials and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel says they are at work conducting an impact assessment on cellular communications in Los Angeles County as many of the fires have been in remote, hill areas where cell towers are located.
“This data is used to identify communications gaps, which informs emergency response activities and identifies where communications assets are needed,” Rosenworcel said Monday. She said the FCC has also issued several Special Temporary Authority to keep communications operational. “While communications outages remain minimal, the FCC will continue to closely monitor developments and do whatever we can to help ensure that residents and first responders are able to communicate and stay informed during this crisis,” Rosenworcel said.
The wildfires area also showing some limitations to the Wireless Alert System with an evacuation order mistakenly issued to nearly 10 million Los Angeles County residents along with some residents of neighboring counties.
The FCC is also looking into how investigating and finding solutions to how “echoes” of erroneous emergency alerts sent to mobile phones continued to land on phones across LA County, alarming residents already facing the horrifying effects of destructive wildfires that are still burning. The preliminary investigation has pointed to issues with telecommunications systems, likely due to the fires’ impacts on cellular towers. A software vendor that works with the county says it has added safeguards to its software.
“As we work through these serious issues and develop solutions, we want to emphasize that Wireless Emergency Alerts are just one part of the County’s multifaceted emergency notification system,” the county says in a statement.
FEMA Reactivates Online Rumor Response Page to Combat Los Angeles Fire Misinformation – Campus Safety Magazine Source Link Excerpt:
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has reactivated its rumor response website to address misinformation about Southern California’s current spate of wildfires. The agency posted similar information after last fall’s hurricanes Helene and Milton.
These are some of the false claims the page is addressing:
FEMA only provides a one-time payment when you apply for assistance: False
FEMA will take my property and land after a disaster: False
FEMA is handing out vouchers for disaster assistance: False
I can be paid $3,000 a week to assist with storm cleanup: False
If you receive a grant from FEMA you will get less money from Social Security: False
Survivors can’t apply if they have insurance: False
I am automatically registered for FEMA assistance if I reported damage to my local parish, county officials, or a disaster relief organization: False
FEMA will reimburse me for a generator I purchase: It depends.
The FEMA helpline is 1-800-621-3362.
LAFD Is Also Addressing Misinformation
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) has also been addressing misinformation about the fires the area is currently experiencing.
Newsom Climbs To Moral High Ground As California Incinerates– thefederalist.com Source Link Excerpt:
If excuses were good for putting out fires, California’s Democrat chief executive Gavin Newsom could have his state fixed in a jiffy.
As California sailed into the weekend literally ablaze, Newsom thought there was no better time to sit for a half-hour podcast interview with a former Obama administration official. It was beautiful and truly everything we’ve grown to expect from a Democrat in a position of authority.
In 30 minutes, Newsom explained that every criticism leveled at him is “misinformation,” that he is just as much a victim as anyone who saw his home burn to ashes, and that he’s helping fix the problem even though it’s not his responsibility.
Asked by former Obama speechwriter Jon Favreau if there was anything his administration “could have done to be better prepared for a fire” that has so far killed at least two dozen people and incinerated over 40,000 acres, Newsom — I’m not kidding you — asked the public to give him a little more credit. “Well, you always have to have some humility and grace as it relates to that question,” he said, “and I’m very self-critical in that respect.”
He has humility and grace, plus he’s very self-critical, so have a heart, why don’t you?
When Favreau then suggested to Newsom that he’s “ultimately responsible as the … governor of the state” and that the newly announced investigation into a water shortage appeared to some as an effort to “pass the blame,” the Democrat governor assured the audience that no, no, no, that’s not it at all. He’s actually in the same boat as the people who want accountability for as many as seven separate wildfires so far, a number of which are still torching the state’s biggest city after a full week.
“So, I’m the governor of California. I want to know the answer,” he said. “I’ve got that question, I can’t tell you by how many people — ‘What happened?’ My own team saying, ‘What happened?’ And I want to get the answers.”
Now wait a minute! Who’s in charge here? The governor wants answers!
Then he went back to needing you to do a little more for him.
“You have to have a little bit of grace,” Newsom said before adding, “But no one has any patience anymore in this weaponized — back to the grievance of Trump.”
FAA says drone collided with firefighting aircraft flying over Palisades Fire – MSN Source Link Excerpt:
A firefighting aircraft was grounded on Thursday after it was struck by a drone while flying over the Palisades Fire near the Pacific Coast, the Federal Aviation Administration said.
The incident occurred on the third day of the wildfire, one of five active wildfires across Los Angeles County. The aircraft landed safely and the incident is being investigated by the FAA, the agency said in a statement.
“It’s a federal crime, punishable by up to 12 months in prison, to interfere with firefighting efforts on public lands,” according to the agency. “The FAA has not authorized anyone unaffiliated with the Los Angeles firefighting operations to fly drones in the (temporary flight restrictions).”
The FAA said it could impose a civil penalty of up to $75,000 against any drone pilot who interferes with operations involving wildfire suppression, law enforcement, or emergency response while temporary flight restrictions are in place. The agency has implemented several temporary flight restrictions in the Los Angeles region to protect firefighting aircraft.