President Joe Biden has canceled his scheduled trip to Italy this week, as announced by the White House. The decision to forgo this trip, occurring in the final days of his presidency, was made in response to the ongoing wildfires in the Los Angeles area.
In a statement, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre noted, “After returning this evening from Los Angeles, where earlier today he met with police, fire, and emergency personnel engaged in combating the historic wildfires affecting the region, and approved a Major Disaster declaration for California, President Biden opted to cancel his upcoming trip to Italy to remain focused on directing the comprehensive federal response in the forthcoming days.”
At the time of the announcement, six wind-driven fires burning across Los Angeles County remained largely uncontained, with authorities issuing evacuation orders late Wednesday for a brushfire in the Hollywood Hills near Runyon Canyon. California Governor Gavin Newsom informed CNN's Anderson Cooper that, as of Wednesday night, there were “five dead, likely more.”
Governor Newsom, reflecting on the devastation he witnessed, stated, “Just complete and utter devastation, and I have attended many of these fires, going back to Paradise. This resembles the destruction witnessed in Paradise.”
President Biden was scheduled to travel to Rome on Thursday, where prior information disclosed that he would meet with Pope Francis, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Italian President Sergio Mattarella. Additionally, Biden was set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday in Rome, which was anticipated to be their final meeting of his presidency.
During his visit, Biden intended to “discuss efforts to advance peace globally, including Pope Francis’s initiatives to alleviate suffering among vulnerable populations,” according to national security spokesperson John Kirby, who briefed reporters about the planned travel.
In his discussions with Italy’s leadership, the President was expected to “emphasize the strong and enduring bilateral relationship,” while expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Meloni for her leadership as President of the G7 and highlighting a new agreement that would enable the G7 to disburse $50 billion in loans to Ukraine.
The First Lady was also expected to accompany the President and meet with World Food Program Executive Director Cindy McCain concerning an announcement aimed at enhancing humanitarian assistance to address significant global crises, as stated by the White House.
This incident is not the first occasion wherein domestic issues have necessitated adjustments to the President's foreign travel. In October, he postponed a planned trip to Germany and Angola due to Hurricane Milton's landfall.
Earlier this week, Biden had intended to travel to the Coachella Valley to designate a new national monument, but the wildfires escalated significantly following his arrival in Los Angeles on Monday. These intensifying conditions ultimately led to the cancellation of the event.
The natural disaster disrupted the President's agenda and prompted him to receive a briefing from local officials in Santa Monica on Wednesday before his anticipated return to Washington.
In his remarks, President Biden underscored the federal response and affirmed the government’s commitment, stating, “We are prepared to do anything and everything for as long as it takes to contain these fires and assist in the reconstruction efforts, ensuring a return to normalcy.” He added, “It will be a long and challenging journey; however, the federal government is here to support you for as long as necessary, providing whatever resources you require.”