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Bidens to visit Hawaii on Monday following Maui wildfires
President Joe Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden will travel to Hawaii on Monday, the White House announced, as search, rescue and recovery efforts continue following the devastating wildfires there.
“The President and First Lady will travel to Maui on Monday, August 21 to meet with first responders, survivors, as well as federal, state, and local officials, in the wake of deadly wildfires on the island,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.
The planned visit comes amid mounting pressure on Biden, who – despite signing a federal disaster declaration last week – had only sparingly referenced the disaster, which has left at least 100 dead.
The relative silence did not go unnoticed by Biden’s critics, including former President Donald Trump and other Republicans, and the Biden administration in recent days has been promoting its commitment to helping local authorities recover and rebuild.
Last edited by Spunky (8/16/2023 12:03 pm)
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Re: Bidens to visit Hawaii on Monday following Maui wildfires
The White House is taking care to ensure Biden’s visit to Hawaii will not disrupt recovery efforts on the island,
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell told reporters Wednesday.“Our biggest goal was to make sure that we weren’t going to disrupt the ability of our search and rescue teams to continue their operations, and when I was just briefing the president and he spoke with [Green], he asked the governor if this was going to be an appropriate time and the governor agreed,”
Criswell told reporters during Wednesday’s White House press briefing.Biden has stayed in close touch with top officials, including Green, Hawaii’s congressional delegation and Federal Emergency Management Agency leadership.In a statement Wednesday,
Green said Biden’s invitation to visit was extended “in consultation with our experts on the ground who are managing search and recovery operations” and was taking place “at a time when extra presence will not hamper disaster management efforts.”
Last edited by Spunky (8/17/2023 4:31 pm)
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