Ahead of President Biden’s trip to devastated Maui, Americans weighed in on his handling of the deadly wildfires that left thousands of Americans without homes, businesses and loved ones.
“It’s crazy,” Bill told Fox News. “Hawaii is part of the United States. They should get a lot more help than they have.”
But Alston said: “I think he could have done more, but I think he did everything he could based on what he had.”
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The deadliest wildfire in the United States in more than a century ripped through Lahaina, Hawaii on August 8, destroying about 2,200 buildings and forcing thousands to flee their homes. The death toll reached 114 on Sunday evening, with more than 1,000 people still missing.
On August 13, while in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Biden was criticized for initially responding “without comment” when asked about the disaster’s high death toll and for having offered relief payments of $700 per household to Hawaiians affected by the fires. But a few days later, the president held a press conference offering unlimited help and support to the region.
Michael said he had “a problem” with the White House’s immediate response to the disaster.
“We have to completely help the people of Hawaii,” he said. “Rebuild everything.”
Michael says he has a “problem” with Biden’s response to the Maui wildfires, saying “we have to completely help the people of Hawaii. Rebuild the whole thing.” (YUKI IWAMURA/AFP via Getty Images)
Korell said the president “should respond as quickly as possible and secure the funds necessary for the people of Hawaii to come together.”
HAWAII DEMOCRAT CALLS BIDEN’S NO COMMENT ON WILDFIRES ‘SHOCKING’
After days of silence on the issue, while vacationing in Lake Tahoe, Biden addressed the wildfires, calling them “devastating.” He also reaffirmed the White House’s commitment to help Hawaii with “whatever it needs.”
“I’ve spoken to Governor Josh Green several times and reassured him that the state will have everything it needs from the federal government,” Biden said. “I immediately approved the governor’s request for an expedited major disaster declaration – that’s a fancy word to say whatever you need, you’ll get it.”
The president is due to travel to the decimated town of Maui with the first lady on Monday, but he said he wanted to be sure “we won’t disrupt ongoing recovery efforts.”
Tony criticizes the president’s “no comment” response to the Maui death toll by asking, “He has nothing to say about people losing their lives, people losing their homes? What kind of president is he? “
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“I don’t want to get in the way. I’ve been to too many disaster areas, but I want to make sure they have everything they need,” he said.
Still, some Americans criticized Biden’s initial response.
“No comment?” said Tony. “He has nothing to say about people losing their lives, people losing their homes? What kind of president is he?”
Mike compared Biden’s belated response to the Maui disaster to how the administration handled the Chinese spy balloon earlier this year. He says the White House “did nothing until it ran through our entire nation.” (PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
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“When you say ‘no comment,’ that tells me that you really don’t care or really had no plans for something that will happen like this,” Alex told Fox News.
Biden also faced further criticism Thursday for refusing to answer a reporter’s question about his next trip to visit the wreckage.
Mike likened the president’s initial delay in responding to the Chinese spy balloon earlier this year that flew from Alaska to the East Coast before it was shot down.
“It’s similar to the ball that went across the whole country,” he said. “We didn’t do anything until it ran through our entire nation.”
Isabelle McDonnell reported from New York City; Jon Michael Raasch of Washington, DC; and Teny Sahakian of Nashville.