Bass, Barger meet Trump to push for LA wildfire recovery funds

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and County Supervisor Kathryn Barger met with President Trump in Washington on Wednesday to press for federal recovery funds and insurance relief for families displaced by the January 2025 wildfires.

The Washington visit signals mounting pressure on federal agencies and private financial institutions to accelerate aid for thousands of LA-area residents still struggling to rebuild more than 15 months after the fires tore through the region.

Bass and Barger traveled to the nation's capital to advocate for wildfire survivors, according to ABC7 Los Angeles. The two officials pushed for continued access to FEMA disaster assistance and other federal rebuilding programs during what they described as a productive session with the president.

In a joint statement, the officials said Trump backed their efforts to compel insurers to settle outstanding claims. "We had a very positive discussion about FEMA and other rebuilding funds as well as the support of the President to continue joining us in pressuring the insurance companies to pay what they owe — and for the big banks to step up to ease the financial pressure on L.A. families," Bass and Barger said.

Trump also encouraged major financial institutions to provide relief to households still carrying debt tied to fire losses, ABC7 reported. The officials said access to affordable credit and insurance payouts has become a defining bottleneck in the recovery timeline.

Fire survivors have consistently identified dealing with insurers and navigating the claims process as the single largest obstacle to rebuilding, according to ABC7 Los Angeles. The January 2025 fires destroyed thousands of homes across the greater Los Angeles region.

"Our job is to fight for our communities. When it comes to this recovery, our federal partners are essential, and we are grateful for the support of the President," Bass and Barger said in the statement.

No timeline was announced for new federal aid disbursements, and it remained unclear Wednesday when insurance companies might face additional regulatory pressure to accelerate claims payments to wildfire victims.