Biden says he and Jill will visit Hawaii ‘as soon as we can’ but doesn’t want to ‘get in the way of recovery efforts’ as death toll nears 100
President Joe Biden said he will visit a fire-ravaged Hawaii “soon,” in the latest update on his plans to devastate Maui as the death toll looms.
“My wife Jill and I are going on a trip as soon as possible,” Biden told a crowd in Milwaukee at an event.
The president spoke his most emotional language yet, confirming that a visit hours after an aide would only have “active conversations” about it.
The deadliest wildfire in over 100 years. Destroyed an entire city. Generations of Native Hawaiian history turned into ruins,” said Biden, who spoke at length about the destruction and human suffering at the beginning of his speech.
In a dark passage, he spoke of the delay in bulldozing devastated areas amid images of devastation in Lahaina.
President Joe Biden will visit Hawaii “soon” to view fire damage but does not want to interfere with recovery efforts, he said in Wisconsin on Tuesday
“They can’t do it now because they don’t know how many bodies there are,” he said.
He said he spoke with Gov. Josh Green and “immediately” approved an expedited disaster petition.
“That’s a nice word to say what you need, you’ll get,” Biden said. “And that will put help in the hands of people in need who have lost their loved ones. who have lost, damaged and destroyed their homes, their livelihoods of men,” Biden said.
“Imagine being a mother or father wondering where your child is. Imagine you are a man or woman or mother or father. It’s really hard stuff,” Biden said.
He described the “meticulous work” of recovery.
‘It takes time. And it’s nerve-racking. Most of the debris can’t be removed until it’s done,” he said.
Amid growing evidence of the devastating wildfires that have wreaked havoc on Maui, the White House on Tuesday issued the first public indication that President Biden will visit Hawaii.
White House deputy press secretary Olivia Dalton confirmed that officials were considering a personal trip after Biden became irate for his terse “no comment” on Hawaii, even as the magnitude of the tragedy came into view.
The president was staying at his beach house in Delaware at the time.
“We are currently in active talks about when a visit to Hawaii might be possible,” Dalton told reporters traveling on Air Force One en route to Wisconsin.
President Joe Biden is considering a trip to view the devastation in Hawaii, the White House said Tuesday, days after he declined to comment on the devastation.
Dozens of people clung to the shoreline in Lahaina as wildfires swept through the city last week
“As the president has said, we will remain in Maui as long as it takes to provide everything they need,” she added.
While Dalton faced the press, Biden called Hawaii officials from the presidential plane.
He called FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and Hawaii Governor Josh Green of AF1 are on their way to Milwaukee, according to the White House. Biden called Green, a Democrat, earlier on Friday.
Her comments come as Biden prepares to vacation in Lake Tahoe after encounters at Camp David Friday.
The grim news about the impact of the fires continues. Parts of the historic city of Lahaina, where 19th-century buildings housed antiquities and surf schools for tourists, were all but obliterated.
Dalton’s remarks, made in a “gaggle” with traveling reporters on the fly, came a day after White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was grilled in the White House briefing room about why Biden had not discussed the issue at length. or a trip.
The president has seen other devastations, including deadly wildfires in California and the aftermath of hurricanes in Louisiana.
“You might expect something from the president on this matter,” was all Jean-Pierre allowed.
Olivia Dalton, Assistant White House Press Secretary, seen here in June, made the remarks aboard Air Force One
Hawaii’s governor warned the death toll is likely to rise as search teams move street-by-street through neighborhoods where the flames wreaked havoc
Biden vacationed on Rehoboth Beach for a week earlier this month. He heads to Nevada for his second vacation on Friday after hosting a summit at Camp David with the leaders of Japan and South Korea, with plans to go to Lake Tahoe.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the devastation from the fire was “something the president is clearly very concerned about.”
She quoted his comments from Thursday on the matter.
But let’s not forget that we heard from him on Thursday, right when he was in Utah before he spoke about the PACT bill, which, as you know, was an anniversary of an issue that is incredibly important to many Americans. And he took that time to talk to it. So I’m sure you’ll be hearing from the president,” she said in a comment that didn’t shy away from further questions.
She said the devastation from the fire was “something the president is clearly deeply concerned about.”
With more than 3,000 Hawaiians signed up for aid through FEMA, the Biden administration is seeking $12 billion more for the government’s emergency relief fund as part of its supplemental funding request to Congress.
“Our prayers are with the people of Hawaii, but not just our prayers — every asset we have will be available to them,” Biden said in Utah last week, in comments Jean-Pierre mentioned. “They have seen their homes destroyed, their businesses destroyed and some lost loved ones. And it’s not over yet.’
When Biden was asked about a visit during a bike ride on the beach on Sunday, he told reporters who asked about a visit, “We’re looking into it.”
Former President Donald Trump, who was criticized for throwing rolls of paper towels at residents as he witnessed the impact of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico in 2018, was among the Republicans to berate Biden for backing down amid the suffering.
He released a campaign video about his rival on Monday, the same day Trump was due to be arraigned in Fulton County, Georgia, on racketeering charges.
“Not commenting is often fine, but smiling when you say it, especially at a tragedy like this, is absolutely appalling and unacceptable,” Trump said.