California Governor Gavin Newsom formally requested $40 billion from Congress on Friday, citing the urgent need to fund recovery efforts after devastating wildfires tore through Los Angeles last year. The blazes, which left thousands displaced and destroyed countless homes, have put immense strain on the state’s resources, prompting Newsom to appeal for federal assistance.
In his address to lawmakers, Newsom outlined a plan to allocate a portion of the funds to rebuilding efforts in fire-ravaged communities. Details on how much would go to Los Angeles remain unclear, though the governor emphasized that the money would also support another pressing priority: protecting illegal immigrants from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations ordered by President Donald Trump.
“We’re facing twin crises here,” Newsom said during a press conference in Sacramento. “The wildfires have left us vulnerable, and at the same time, we cannot abandon our values by letting ICE tear apart families who are just trying to live.”
The governor’s dual-purpose proposal comes as California grapples with the aftermath of wildfires that scorched over 200,000 acres in 2024, with Los Angeles County bearing some of the heaviest damage.
President Trump’s administration, meanwhile, has ramped up immigration enforcement nationwide, deporting thousands since he took office last month. Newsom argued that the $40 billion would allow the state to address both issues.
Republican lawmakers wasted no time criticizing the request. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas called it a blatant misuse of taxpayer dollars, pointing out that California’s sanctuary state policies have long been a point of contention in Washington.
“This is a cash grab dressed up as disaster relief,” Cruz said on Friday evening. “Newsom wants to rebuild a few houses and then spend the rest coddling people who broke our laws.”
The proposal has sparked debate among California residents as well. In Los Angeles, where charred neighborhoods still await reconstruction, some expressed frustration that wildfire recovery might take a backseat to Newsom’s broader agenda. Others praised the governor for taking a stand against what they describe as Trump’s heavy-handed immigration crackdown.
Newsom defended his plan, noting that the funds would also bolster shelters and legal aid for immigrants facing deportation. He stressed that California’s economy relies on undocumented workers, many of whom, he claimed, helped fight the very wildfires now necessitating the aid.
“These are the people who put their lives on the line for us,” Newsom said in closing remarks. “Forty billion dollars is a small price to pay to rebuild our communities and protect the vulnerable from a federal government overwhelmingly elected by the people.”
Congress is expected to review the request next week, though analysts predict a fierce battle over how — or if — the funds will be distributed.
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