Following the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County, a California mother, Rachel Darvish, directly questioned Governor Gavin Newsom about his handling of the disaster. Darvish, whose daughter's school was destroyed in the blaze, approached Newsom and urgently asked him to explain what actions he was taking to address the situation.
Newsom reportedly told Darvish he was trying to contact President Biden for assistance. Skeptical, Darvish asked to hear the call, prompting Newsom to claim poor cell service prevented him from reaching the president. In a subsequent interview on "Jesse Watters Primetime," Darvish expressed her desire to believe Newsom but questioned why he lacked the necessary communication equipment, such as a satellite phone, in such a critical situation.
President Joe Biden and Governor Gavin Newsom after a briefing on the Southern California wildfires. (CBS Pool)
Darvish recounted her experience fleeing her home, noting the absence of fire trucks on her way down. She emphasized that the firefighters were not to blame, suggesting that the issue stemmed from higher-level directives. She also expressed uncertainty about why the response seemed delayed, given the area's history with wildfires.
Aerial firefighting efforts during the Palisades fire. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
President Biden ultimately approved a major disaster declaration for California, ensuring full federal coverage of disaster response costs for 180 days. However, Darvish's plea to Newsom remains: "Clean this up, fix it, and move on." She expressed doubt about whether real change would occur, citing entrenched bureaucratic practices.
A structure engulfed in flames during the Palisades fire. (REUTERS/Ringo Chiu)
