by InTrieste
President Joe Biden has canceled a planned trip to Italy to focus on responding to the devastating wildfires sweeping through California, the White House announced on Wednesday.
Biden, who was scheduled to travel to Italy from January 9 to 12, had planned to meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Pope Francis, and Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Rome. However, the president’s priorities shifted following his return from Los Angeles, where he met with emergency responders battling what officials have called historic fires.
“After returning this evening from Los Angeles, where earlier today he had met with police, fire, and emergency personnel fighting the historic fires raging in the area and approved a Major Disaster declaration for California, President Biden made the decision to cancel his upcoming trip to Italy to remain focused on directing the full federal response in the days ahead,” the White House said in a statement.
The wildfires have claimed five lives and prompted evacuation orders for over 100,000 residents in Los Angeles County, where a state of emergency has been declared. Firefighters are grappling with unpredictable weather conditions and the largest wildfires in the region’s recent history.
The trip to Italy was set to be Biden’s final overseas visit before the end of his presidency. On January 20, he will hand over power to President-elect Donald Trump, who defeated him in the November election.
The cancellation underscores the severity of the crisis in California, as well as Biden’s commitment to what he has described as an “all-hands-on-deck” federal approach to disaster management. The Major Disaster declaration he approved earlier this week unlocks federal resources to aid the state’s firefighting efforts and recovery initiatives.
Biden’s decision to remain in the United States comes as climate-related disasters continue to intensify, marking a significant moment in his final days in office. “The president believes his presence and leadership are critical at this time,” an administration official said, emphasizing the urgent need for federal coordination in addressing the fires.
The wildfires, driven by high winds and dry conditions, have scorched thousands of acres, destroyed homes, and disrupted lives across Southern California. While firefighting efforts have made some progress, officials warn that the situation remains volatile.
As the crisis unfolds, the president’s absence in Italy leaves questions about the future of U.S.-Italian relations and Biden’s opportunity to bid farewell to key international allies. However, officials close to the administration said that prioritizing the California emergency was a necessary step, given the scale and immediacy of the disaster.
In his remarks in Los Angeles earlier this week, Biden acknowledged the bravery of first responders and expressed solidarity with those affected by the fires. “We stand with the people of California,” he said, “and we will do everything in our power to help them rebuild and recover.”
