Oval Office
12:15 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Here's what we're going to do. We're going to get a briefing from the governor and the mayor and FEMA, and then we're going to lay out where we go from here. Okay?
Ready? Get set. Go.
AIDE: Ready.
THE PRESIDENT: All right. Vice President Harris and I are about to receive a briefing from Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass and the FEMA Director Criswell. So, both of them are on the ground leading the fight against this god-awful wildfire in Calif- — the worst in California history.
And there has been some progress in the last 24 hours, so I want to give an update to where we think things are at the moment.
First, overnight, local, state, and federal firefighters were able to partially prevent some of the largest fires from spreading to new areas: 3 percent in Pasadena has been kept from spreading, 8 percent in the Pacific Palisades, 35 percent in Ventura, and 37 percent in Sylmar. And — and I — but this time yesterday, these fires were mostly spreading out of control.
We — we've still got a long way to go, as we're about to hear from the governor and others. And while the winds have died down for the time, we expect they'll remain a threat until early next week. So, we're going to keep working 24/7 to support state and local officials to fully stop these fires as soon as possible.
Next, we're going to make sure California has every possible resource to fight these fires and help survivors. As soon as the fire started, I approved the — the Fire Management Assistance Grants, which is a fancy phrase for saying the grants to cover the cost of firefighting federally and the gear, equipment, and capabilities like search and rescue.
Then, I immediately approved the governor's request of major disaster declaration, which will pay for things like debris removal, temporary lodging, and first responder overtime pay. Both of these — the grants and the declaration — usually cover 75 percent of the state's costs. But yesterday, I directed the federal government to cover 100 percent of state costs for 180 days.
I also announced FEMA has — is go- — has turned on its Critical Needs Assistance program. This program gives a one-time payment of $750 to survivors so they can quickly purchase critical items, like water, formula, gasoline, and prescription drugs. And survivors should go to DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362. We can't help you if we don't know you need the help, so call. DisasterAssistance.gov — I mean, co- — contact or call 1-800-621-3362.
And I want to be clear: This is not the only aid that survivors can request from FEMA. More programs are going to be available through the — that disaster declaration, but this is assistance that survivors can get now and get it fast.
We're also helping the state and local law enforcement personnel keep people safe. I've offered Governor Newsom additional support on — on that front too. For example, the Defense Department — military personnel can help direct traffic, evacuate people where traffic lights have been destroyed.
Finally, I want to thank all the first responders. And I often say, "God made man, then he made a few firefighters." And these are men and women. The firefighters of Los Angeles are proof of that.
The scope, the scale, and the erratic movements of these fires is truly unprecedented. I mean, it's truly unprecedented. And — but day after day, these firefighters have been pulling 24-hour shifts, rushing the flames with har- — hurricane-force winds as well, to rescue people, to evacuate neighborhoods, and put these fires out.
Now, I speak for the American people when I say we owe you, we're with you, and we're going to make sure you get every resource you need.
Now I want to turn it over to the vice president.
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Mr. President. As you've said, what we have been witnessing is truly mass devastation. And whether we are talking about Sylmar to the Palisades to Altadena, it's important to know that we're talking about neighborhoods of people who, in many cases — I think about Altadena — these are — these homes have been in these families for generations. And in many of these homes, it is a multigenerational family that lives there.
Also understand that, in a lot of these neighborhoods, the folks who live there also work in that neighborhood, which means they've lost their home and their livelihood. So, the devastation that we are looking at is multigenerational and is going to linger for quite some time.
And the work, under the president's leadership, that we are doing through the federal government to provide aid in every way to the governor, to the mayor, to local police and fire is critically important, and we are doing it with a sense of urgency.
I also would mention that not only are firefighters out there working around the clock, some of whom — sadly, more than a few who have lost their own homes in the fire — but so too with LAPD police officers who are working around the clock, and there are at least a dozen who have also lost their own homes to the fire.
So, there is a real human story that is associated with the mass devastation that we are seeing, and everything that we can do to support, we will do. Also understanding there are moments where we should find optimism in the heroism of people who are taking in strangers, taking in friends, providing shelter to evacuees — people looking out for each other. Regardless of where they come from or who they voted for, they're looking out for each other and showing the best of the American spirit in a moment of crisis.
THE PRESIDENT: In addition to that, I want to point out that — that this is not going to be over even when all the fires are out.
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Yes.
THE PRESIDENT: It's just going to be the beginning. And the change in insurance policy in California for these modest homes —
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Yep.
THE PRESIDENT: — as well as these really expensive homes and businesses. So, the — we — we're going to be around a long while, Gov, to help, the federal government.
GOVERNOR NEWSOM: Yes.
THE PRESIDENT: And the mayor as well.
So — but why don't I yield to you, Governor, for any comments you have to make. Bring us up to date.
GOVERNOR NEWSOM: I — I appreciate it, Mr. President and Madam Vice President. Let me just pick up, in the spirit of y- — of your comments. But first, with just deep gratitude to both of you for being so solicitous, so supportive, hand in glove in this operation. There's simply not an ask that hasn't been met.
The major disaster declaration, Mr. President, was a game changer. In fact, you were able to do that within 36 hours. I don't know that there's another precedent in American history for disaster that was in the making, was unfolding and for you to be there in real time and prescient as well. It turns out that we're going to need all of that support. And the fact that you were able to provide 100 percent is just tremendous relief on the (inaudible) side and other disaster relief side.
And I think the — the big focus now, to your point — and appreciate the recognition of some progress last night. The winds were favorable. We were able to address some of the perimeter issues. Again, it's been focus about life, property, and perimeter. But the perimeter progress was real because we were able to get fixed-wing and helicopters up.
Last night, we had a new fire start. Five fires that we're actively battling as we speak. The two large ones you've highlighted, the 8 and 3 percent contained. But we're able to — these guys just did an amazing job. We had this fire, the Kenneth fire, that could have been one of the bigger headlines today, and these guys were able to knock that down.
It was heroic. I flew around it to see the dozers, the hand crews, Rattlesnake crews in the National Guard, the mutual aid system.
Mr. President, 175 engines from across this country, from New Mexico and Oregon and Washington State, Utah, Idaho — men and women coming out here, regardless of their differences, in the spirit of what the vice president said, working together in the spirit that defines the best of all of us. And so, just with deep gratitude to you, your team.
We had the National Guard out last night. We had 43 key posts that they were — they were working — 855 National Guard men and women. We're stationing additional National Guard men and women to the extent we need it.
We've searched all the assets and we drew down from all over the state and, obviously, now increasing across the country.
I want to also highlight, because I think it's incredibly important: We have 150,000 people still under mandatory evacuation orders. These fires are not out. Though, today, we're going to make a lot of progress and continue to increase these containment numbers.
But it is important, and I cannot impress upon you more how happy I was to hear, Mr. President, you say DisasterAssistance.gov.
People are now naturally calling. There's tremendous anxiety out there around getting immediate assistance. The reality of this is — is starting to come.
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah.
GOVERNOR NEWSOM: The clarity is — as the, you know, smoke begins to — to move and, in daylight, people are starting to understand the magnitude.
I thought I never would see anything like the Tubbs Fire and then the Camp Fire. This is up there. This will be one of the most destructive fires, I mean, in terms of property damage, perhaps in the history of the country, but certainly in terms of scale and scope — 10-plus thousand structures already identified. Ten people we fear have lost their lives; likelihood of more. The magnitude of this is pretty profound.
And — and in closing, you know, I appreciate, Madam Vice President, you bringing up Altadena as well. You know, I was there yesterday, saw a middle school — it's a beautiful middle school — burning down. Lifestyles, places, tradition, kids, families, memories, communities completely, you know, torn — just torn asunder.
It's — it's not just a home. It's — it's their lives and their livelihoods, these businesses, community centers. I can't tell you how many churches burned down.
And so, you know, we had these hurricane-force winds, the likes of which we've never imagined in our lifetime — 99-plus-mile-an-hour gusts, couldn't — you know, there was no helicopters that can go up in — in those gusts, in those wind shears.
But we had, you know, thousands and thousands of men and women that — that did everything in their power to hold the line. And so, hats off to the first responders.
And in closing, hats off to those neighbors that are stepping up, these self-organizing communities that are coming together in the spirit of what makes us great, the spirit of neighbor to neighbor, of being there for each other.
And final words: You know, I ask you, we've got to deal with this misinformation. There were hurricane-force winds —
THE PRESIDENT: That's right.
GOVERNOR NEWSOM: — of mis- and disinformation, lies. People want to divide this country, and — and we're going to have to address that as well.
And it breaks my heart, as people are suffering and struggling, that we're up against those hurricane force — forces as well. And — and that's just a point of personal privilege that I share that with you, because it infects real people that are out there, people I meet every single day, people the mayor has been meeting with. And they're having conversations that are not the typical conversations you'd have at this time.
And — and you wonder where this stuff comes from, and it's very damaging as well.
But — but we're here to get the job done, to be here for folks, to focus, yes, on this mitigation and then, absolutely, recovery in record time. With your support, we're going to be able to do that. With FEMA's support, we're going to get people back on their feet. We're going to rebuild this remarkable community, and we're going to come back.
I know it's rote and cliché. It's just a fact. We're going to come back stronger because we're all in this together. And — and we're in this together because we have a leader in the Oval Office right now, Mr. President — Joe Biden, an American president, being there for the American people at a time of critical need.
And I cannot impress upon you personally, on behalf of 40 million Americans that live in the great state of California, how proud we are of you, the vice president, and your leadership.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, Gov, thank you. You know, that's why I think it's so important I — I — we speak plainly to the American people and let them know what we can and can't do.
For example, those churches that get burned down you talked about, those public schools, the federal government will pay to rebuild those — rebuild those. There's a — so, we have to let people know that there are things that are going to be coming that we've declared — and there's disaster relief legislation and others — that are going to be available.
Because I think people say, "Okay. I'm out. But, God, what — what happens now? What do I…" — and — but we're — we're not leaving. We're not leaving until we get it done.
Karen — Mayor.
MAYOR BASS: Yes. Thank you, Mr. President and Madam Vice President.
I just can't emphasize enough how important your support and involvement has been. And how, in the midst of such incredible devastation and — and tragedy, that it has been comforting to know that you are — have been accessible.
Again, you know, the governor certainly mentioned the fact that you moved so quickly in response to the emergency declaration, the idea of 100 percent reimbursement. And we have made it clear to folks that that is not the norm, but that is what leadership does in response to such a devastating event.
And the governor mentioned, and let me just repeat: hurricane-strength wind without the rain. And that has led to such amazing devastation in terms of the Palisades fire and some of the other fires.
I think it is important to acknowledge the successes that have been going on, where there have been evacuation orders that have been canceled, and people are going back to certain neighborhoods. Fires have been extinguished in several neighborhoods — Pacoima, Hollywood, Studio City — where people were told they had to evacuate, and those evacuation orders have been rescinded.
And as our first responders are out there putting their lives on the line, as the vice president mentioned, they've been experiencing the losses as well, as well as the city and the county workforces. We have a number of our employees who have had to evacuate. While responding, their families have had to evacuate, or they've had the loss, the personal loss of their homes, their places to worship, their schools, or their businesses.
But Los Angeles, the region, we are going to recover. We're going to recover, and we're going to rebuild, and we're going to rebuild better.
One of the biggest challenges that is facing us — and I also know that it is a national situation — is insurance. And so, today, I'm here at the County Hall of Administration. We do two press conferences a day — one in the county, one in the city. And we had our state insurance commissioner here.
We do have a state plan, but that state plan certainly needs to be — and he's — he talked about introducing emergency legislation to respond to some of the ways we need to strengthen our system.
So, many of the homes in the area, especially in the Palisades area, had their insurance canceled — canceled a year or so ago. And he talked about how he wanted to have a moratorium — he was going to use the power of his office to have a moratorium — that said that no policies can be canceled, even if your home was not damaged. If you're in the area and everybody around you burnt down but your home was not damaged, that your policy cannot be canceled.
So, we have mobilized the philanthropic community. The philanthropic community is already setting up funds to assist. But we are also convening — and the city is — is taking the lead here — in the rebuilding effort, and we're going to expedite rebuilding.
It brings back a lot of memories for me, in 1992, when we experienced massive civil unrest, and we were able to get the majority of Los Angeles rebuilt quickly by coming together and suspending — waiving rules, you know, getting past bureaucracy.
If you — if your home was devastated in the fire, there's no reason for you to have to go all the way back through the permitting process.
So, while we are saving lives, preventing further destruction, saving homes, saving businesses, dealing with the emergency at hand, we also have our eyes on the future and are preparing to put forward policies, executive directors next week that would address how we bring our city back together and how we expedite the rebuilding.
And so, again, let me just end by saying that, you know, your leadership — your leadership, period, over the last several years has just been outstanding, Mr. President, Madam Vice President. Madam Vice President, who's an Angeleno, we know that you know.
When I spoke with you yesterday, you mentioned that you had to evacuate. You weren't going to mention yourself, but I asked you, and you mentioned that you had to evacuate from your home here while you were in Washington, D.C. And I just want to commend your outstanding leadership and let you know how the residents of Los Angeles are so deeply grateful.
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Thank you.
THE PRESIDENT: Karen, one of the things I've found in my experience in dealing with these disasters — similar, not as devastating than this — is: People take a look at the immediate help, and they're satisfied, they're happy. But they look down the road and say, "My God, look at downtown. It's gone. Look at — how are we going to do this?"
We're going to need the United States Congress to follow up with appropriations to help provide for significant help for our fellow Americans who need this help to pay for the — these programs that we have because a lot more is going to be c- — be happening.
And now, yield to a woman who's an expert in all this. She and I have traveled more states that are — flying over fires for the last four years, and we've literally observed, from the air or on the ground, more areas burned to the ground — burned to the ground — from Arizona all the way up to Idaho — than the entire state of Maryland. Took it all — to the ground.
And so, we've — but we're used to this but nothing like the concentration that's here. This is profound.
And so, we got the best person we could.
Go ahead, Deanne.
ADMINISTRATOR CRISWELL: Thank you. Yeah, thank you, Mr. President, Madam Vice President. I mean, you and I, sir, have traveled many different disasters, and I can say from what I've seen here yesterday that this is certainly one of the most destructive that you and I have had to — to deal with during our time here.
I had a chance yesterday to talk with the governor and the mayor, to hear some of their immediate concerns, but mostly to start to talk about what this recovery is going to look like.
I had an opportunity to get briefings from the incident command post, both at the Palisades fire as well as the Eaton fire.
And, Madam Vice President, I had a chance to drive through Altadena and see just what the heart of this community is by hearing from the local officials and just witness the amount of loss that they are experiencing and going through. I mean, in addition to the thousands of structures that we hear about that are — that are gone, many of those homes, an entire small-business district — a booming business district in Altadena that has just been burnt to the ground — churches and schools and other public facilities that are just gone.
And so, this is going to be a very complex recovery, but I know that when we all come together and work together through all of our federal partners and bringing in our — our nonprofit and our private-sector partners, that we are going to get through this.
And your approval, sir, of the 100 percent for the debris removal and the emergency protective measures for 180 days is really going to be a game changer in helping to make sure that this recovery gets started off on the right foot.
And the major disaster declaration itself is going to do so much. It's — so many people, as you heard, are evacuated, and there's not very many in shelters. And so, we know that so many people are either staying with friends and family or they're staying in hotels.
And with the changes that we have made to our programs over the last year, we are going to be able to cover most of those costs, if not all of those costs that people are incurring, whether they're staying with family and friends or they're staying in hotels, to help ease some of that burden.
And as they register for assistance — so, we've already got close to 10,000 people that have registered, but we know that that's going to continue to go up, and we're going to send more people into the community to make sure that they register. They're going to be able to get things to help support that recovery, whether that's moving into the next-term and longer-term sheltering or their longer-term housing needs to help reimburse for some of the losses and damages, even though we know it's not going to come close to the total devastation and the total loss that they had.
Working together, again, if Congress approves additional funding, and working with our partners like the SBA, we're going to really be able to help all of these families with their specific needs and what they're going to need to do to help start this recovery journey.
And one of the biggest things is going to be debris removal. And, you know, we've had lots of conversations with the governor's team about debris removal. They have an excellent capability here within the state, and we're going to be able to provide technical assistance through the Army Corps of Engineers to make sure that they're getting everything done in the most expeditious way possible so they can start that recovery process.
And I think, Mr. President and Madam Vice President, what I would just close with is that, as you have said and as, you know, the governor — and I've talked to the governor and the mayor — we are going to be here with you. Governor, Mayor, just know that FEMA, the entire federal family, is going to be here with you throughout this entire recovery journey. We are going to work through the complicated problems together. We're going to find the right federal resource to meet the needs and to get the outcomes that you want. And we're going to help every Angeleno with the — the impacts that they've had and help them on this road to recovery.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. You know —
MAYOR BASS: Thank you.
THE PRESIDENT: — one of the things that —
ADMINISTRATOR CRISWELL: Thank you.
THE PRESIDENT: — that you and I have done, Deanne, is we not only have to build back, we have to build back better. There are certain things we can do to prevent things from being — if the same thing occurred — from as much damage occurring. And that costs money, but it also saves money.
There is climate —
ADMINISTRATOR CRISWELL: Yes.
THE PRESIDENT: — change. There is climate change. This is part of it. And we have to deal with it.
And the other thing is that, you know, when I was with you, Gov, and we were looking around the state, it looked to me, as I traveled — when I was out with you in — in California,
it — what it reminded me of — it reminded me of — more of a war scene where you had certain targets that were bombarded, where artillery was — just blew them up with no — with — with no rhyme or reason. In other words, you'd have this fire going crazy and burning everything down and three houses being fine —
GOVERNOR NEWSOM: Yeah.
THE PRESIDENT: — noth- — nothing is happening.
Or neighborhoods that were still green — I mean, still green, and next to a place that — for example, you know, there was — we were just looking at a Secret Service house that was out there. You know, all the vehicles were melted — melt — melt — yet that house next door still has green shrubbery on it, and, you know, it — the house is fine. There's only, I think, four or five houses in that 200 — you know, it's in — in the Pasadena area.
But — but my generic point is, it's almost like it's a — it's a battle scene.
THE VICE PRESIDENT: But, you know, Mr. President —
GOVERNOR NEWSOM: Yeah.
THE VICE PRESIDENT: — we saw that in South Carolina, North Carolina —
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah, I know. That's the point.
THE VICE PRESIDENT: — Georgia, and Florida with hurricanes.
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah, same thing.
THE VICE PRESIDENT: This is also the nature of, to your point, this changing climate, these extreme weather conditions, not only are they — they volatile and devastating, but there — there is no method necessarily to how — to the impact in terms of the predictability of where it might land, if we're talking about a hurricane or — or a wildfire.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, for example, we —
THE VICE PRESIDENT: And so, resilience and adaptation becomes more important.
THE PRESIDENT: You know, we found, Gov, that in these other areas, like the hurricanes from North Carolina to Florida, where you saw entire highways devastated —
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Yeah.
THE PRESIDENT: — coming off the side of the mountains, dropping into —
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Yeah.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, we got to build back the highway a different way —
THE VICE PRESIDENT: That's right.
THE PRESIDENT: — to make it stronger.
THE VICE PRESIDENT: That's right.
THE PRESIDENT: We're — so, we — we're going to have to deal with this, and we can make it — I know if anybody — any of your constituents are listening and saying, "My, God, don't tell me about 'better,' just tell me when about getting back." But, you know, we can not only build it back, we can build it back better, God willing.
GOVERNOR NEWSOM: A hundred percent. No, it's — it is remarkable, and it's — yeah, to your point, particularly as — as the smoke is clearing, you see that, you know, very indelibly and visually here in this fire. These — these newly constructed homes more likely to have survived — those with — with different materials, those with the latest home hardening investments.
And that wou- — the — the chapter, verse, the lesson, the master class in this was the Camp Fire. Remember, we lost 85 lives —
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah.
GOVERNOR NEWSOM: — 18,000 structures up there in Paradise, California, and those structures that did survive — and so, we've changed our building codes. We — we began to adapt to this new reality.
And I just say this to the deniers out there: You may not believe in science, but you have to believe your own eyes.
You know, Mother Nature is — it's been said by others — it's just, you know, the chemistry, biology, and physics — she bats last; she bats a thousand.
There's been no rain. It's January — January in Southern California. So, what is "time of year"? None projected in the next many days. There's been a modest amount since last May here in Southern California. The hots are getting hotter; dries, drier; wets a lot wetter with these atmospheric rivers.
And on that, Mr. President, this is an area that we need to focus right now, and that's the likelihood that we may see some intense rain and a lot —
THE PRESIDENT: Exactly.
GOVERNOR NEWSOM: — of debris flow —
THE PRESIDENT: Exactly.
GOVERNOR NEWSOM: — and issues around massive flooding, which often is more deadly than the fires themselves.
THE PRESIDENT: That's what —
MAYOR BASS: And we —
THE PRESIDENT: — happened in North Carolina. When — when we talked about the hurricane, you saw the entire rivers fill and —
Anyway, there's a lot we can do though.
MAYOR BASS: You know, I — I do remember when we used to have a fire season. Do you remember that, Governor? You —
GOVERNOR NEWSOM: No. (Laughs.)
MAYOR BASS: — used to have a fire season, right? In your — in your entire term, that has not been the case.
This is January. (Laughs.) Fire season used to be at the end of summer. So, you know, ab- — absolutely correct.
And then we know that that was the reason for such massive, massive devastation.
But, again, you know, sending out your Deanne Criswell — Criswell. It was wonderful to meet you yesterday. Everybody was very excited to know that you were going to be here and to know that FEMA was going to be a resource that they can access right away.
Continuing that is really what is needed right now. And I want to thank you once again.
THE PRESIDENT: The vice president and I have initiated every federal agency, from the Department of Defense on — every federal agency — to be part of this.
And the other thing is, look, you know, I think you get a bad rap. I know you're getting a bad rap about "these fire hydrants don't have enough water in them." Give me a break. Give me a break.
What this is all about is the utilities, understandably — what they did is they cut off power because they're worried about these high-tension lines coming down and causing more fires in the wind. Right? When they do that, guess what? They shut off the power that controls the ability to pump the water.
And so, now they're put- — they're getting generators now. I mean, this is complicated stuff.
You're going to have a lot of demagogues out there trying to take advantage of it, but you're doing the right thing. We're going to get it done, God willing.
And I say to the people of Southern California, "God bless you. Stay strong. Stay strong. We're not going anywhere. We're not going anywhere."
MAYOR BASS: Thank you. Thank you very much.
GOVERNOR NEWSOM: Thank you, Mr. President, for everything.
THE PRESIDENT: And you know, all kidding aside, you both have my phone number, so —
MAYOR BASS: Yes, we do.
THE PRESIDENT: No — no, I'm for real. Anything that comes up, if you have any ideas.
And — and if you didn't, I've got a California vice president, man.
GOVERNOR NEWSOM: Yeah, that's — that helps too.
THE PRESIDENT: She's wildly focused on this.
MAYOR BASS: The access to both of you is a tremendous benefit.
GOVERNOR NEWSOM: Yeah.
THE PRESIDENT: All right. Well, thank you very much. Keep in touch, okay?
MAYOR BASS: Okay.
GOVERNOR NEWSOM: Thank you for everything.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you.
MAYOR BASS: Bye-bye.
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Take care, guys.
AIDE: Thanks, press. Thanks, press. Let's go. Thanks guys. Thank you, press.
(Cross-talk.)
AIDE: All right. Thanks, folks.
(Cross-talk.)
THE PRESIDENT: Whoa. Hey, I'm going to be talking a little later this afternoon about a number of things you're asking about, from Russian energy to what's — what's going on in terms of the economy, but — but focused on this issue now. And let's focus on this, and we'll be back on the rest of it.
So, about this, you can ask me questions.
Q Can I just ask you about — you mentioned yesterday that you're about to leave office. Are you coordinating with the incoming administration about this federal response?
THE PRESIDENT: We are making — everything they know — every single thing we're doing about the re- — what — the response, my hope is that they will have — at least acknowledge we have some significant experience in this. We've done really well on it, and I'm praying that they continue to focus.
Q Mr. President, have you been told that the loss of life is likely to increase significantly in California?
THE PRESIDENT: It is likely it will increase. Whether it's significantly or not, we don't know yet. There's still a lot of people who are unaccounted for. We don't know where they are. I think this toll is likely to go up. Whether it's significant or not — pray God it's not — but it could be.
Q How concerned are you about looting, Mr. President, in this?
THE PRESIDENT: (Inaudible.)
Q How concerned are you about looting and incidents of looting in Los Angeles —
THE PRESIDENT: We are concerned. That's why I provided more police officers and more military. Look, the DOD is in full (inaudible) with this. They're providing everything from security through the military, the National Guard; supplementing the National Guard. Because we are — there's clear evidence that there's looting. There's clear evidence that people are going into these surviv- — even places where they're not — they're evacuated, and it's not all rubble, and people are going in and they're looting.
And so, that's going to — that — we know that will continue, unless we make sure we — we're providing the help to prevent it from happening.
Q Mr. President, what will you be seeking from Congress? Is the supplemental for this, specifically, or is it broader for FEMA?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think — I think whether I'm going to be here to suggest it, and I have 10 days left — we have 10 days left, but we're briefing the opposition — "the opposition" — the incoming administration on what they're going to have to do.
Look, we have an awful lot of experience in this, unfortunately. Climate change has been real. It's been real for the last four years of our administration. We've seen devastating impacts of consequences of the changes.
And it's just like — you know, there are — it's going to take more funding. I mean, look, you're the most informed people in the country. I'm not being facetious. You cover this every single minute. You've seen what these downtowns look like. I mean, they look like bombing. They look like they actually have been blown up — entire sections of the cities blown up. Just to remove the debris — just to remove the debris is an incredibly expensive undertaking.
We're going to do it for them. We're going to get it done. We're going to pay for it, but we've got to be prepared to pay for it. And — and when we do, we've got to build back better than we did before.
So, thank you.
AIDE: Thank you, press.
(Cross-talk.)
THE PRESIDENT: One l- — one — one last question. There was one last question: Do I have any estimates of cost?
I could tell you, based on my experience, what I think the cost would be, but I'm not going to do that because we don't know. We want to make sure when we — we get the cost estimate, it's real. We've thought it through. We get — we got the engineers and the scientists in to give us the best assessment of what's happening.
And one of the things that is going to have to change, and it's been — I've been a — been broken record on this for the last three years: We've got to change the way in which we transmit energy. And these high-tension wires that are the things that cause — some — remember we had someone from the other team about, "Well, we just ought to sweep the floor of the — the forest floor so we have no fires." Come on, man.
You know, we — the idea is if we had these wires underground, it's a hell of lot safer. We wouldn't have as many fires as we have now or in the future, but it costs a hell of a lot of money to put it underground.
So, we're working out all those issues to determine what would be needed — when I say "build back better" — to build back in a way that diminishes the prospect that the change in weather and the environment is going to continue to cause such devastation.
We can protect against much of it, but it's going to cost a lot of money to do it.
Thank you.
12:50 P.M. EST
