President Joe Biden is set to address the devastating Maui fires during a speech in Milwaukee on Tuesday, marking his first public comment on the disaster in days. The White House is making a concerted effort to defend and explain the federal reaction to the fires, with Biden’s remarks expected to highlight the ongoing whole-of-government response.
White House principal deputy press secretary Olivia Dalton stated that the president has pledged to provide everything Maui needs and will remain committed to the recovery efforts. Dalton also mentioned that the White House is actively discussing the possibility of a visit to Hawaii, although no specific details were provided.
Biden’s previous response to questions about the fires, where he replied “no comment,” drew criticism from conservatives, including former President Donald Trump. Trump accused Biden of refusing to help or comment on the tragedy, calling it “horrible and unacceptable.” However, Democrats have publicly supported Biden’s response, with Hawaii Governor Josh Green praising the administration’s efforts and the president’s full support.
During an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono expressed gratitude to Biden for swiftly approving a federal disaster declaration. She described the devastation caused by the wildfires and emphasized the importance of federal assistance.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that Biden is deeply concerned about the situation. Federal Emergency Management Agency chief Deanne Criswell confirmed that the administration is committed to supporting Hawaii throughout the recovery process and helping residents rebuild in a more resilient manner. Criswell also mentioned being in continuous communication with Biden since the fires began.
While there are currently no plans for Biden to visit Hawaii, the White House remains in close contact with FEMA and Governor Green’s office to explore potential opportunities. In the meantime, the administration detailed the steps being taken to support recovery efforts in Maui. This includes the deployment of over 500 federal personnel, assistance from the US Coast Guard, US Navy, and US Army in search and rescue and fire suppression, involvement of FEMA in fire containment and distribution of essential supplies, and support from various government agencies in areas such as child nutrition, public health, infrastructure, and logistics.
Former President Barack Obama also joined the efforts by asking for contributions to aid wildfire victims in Maui. Obama, who has a home in Hawaii and has previously visited impacted areas, expressed his solidarity with the affected communities.
Will President Biden’s remarks in his address emphasize any specific actions or initiatives in the ongoing whole-of-government response to the Maui fires
President Joe Biden will be addressing the devastating Maui fires during a speech in Milwaukee on Tuesday. This will be his first public comment on the disaster in days, as the White House aims to defend and explain the federal reaction to the fires. It is expected that Biden’s remarks will emphasize the ongoing whole-of-government response to the situation.
According to White House principal deputy press secretary Olivia Dalton, President Biden has made a commitment to provide all necessary assistance to Maui and will continue to support recovery efforts. Dalton also mentioned that the possibility of a visit to Hawaii is actively being discussed, although no specific details were given.
Conservatives, including former critics, criticized Biden’s previous response to questions about the fires, where he simply stated “no comment.” The president’s forthcoming address aims to address these concerns and demonstrate his dedication to the situation at hand.
