Mayor Bass, Rep. Sherman spar with Trump
President Donald Trump and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass went head-to-head in front of cameras Friday during an at times heated roundtable discussion on recovery from the wildfires in California.
The event in total lasted more than an hour, with Trump taking questions and welcoming comments from the room for the better part of it.
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Rep. Brad Sherman, a Democrat, pushed back on Trump’s demands for policy changes in California in exchange for the state receiving disaster aid.
“I am hoping that we can get these funds and that we don't punish individuals for the policies of their state,” Sherman said.
“I know you’ve talked about policies of California that you’re not a fan of. I really disagree with Louisiana on their abortion policy … and I would never have turned to somebody from Louisiana and say, 'You keep living on your cousin’s couch because we are not going to help you rebuild until Louisiana agrees with me on a woman’s right to choose,’” Sherman said.
Trump and Bass had more than one extended exchange over when homeowners will be able to rebuild, with Trump urging Bass to move as quickly as possible to let people get back to their homes and slash restrictions on rebuilding -- something she said the city is doing but warned that they also needed to clear out hazardous waste from the fire.
“You have emergency powers, just like I do. And I'm exercising my emergency powers. You have to exercise them also,” Trump said to Bass.
“I did exercise them, I signed an emergency declaration,” Bass responded.
“I mean, you have a very powerful emergency power, and you can do everything within 24 hours,” Trump said, talking over Bass.
“And if individuals want to clear out their property, they can,” Bass said.
Bass said they would be able to go back soon, noting they think residents will be able to return to their properties within a week.
“That's a long time, a week,” Trump said. “I'll be honest, to me that -- everyone standing in front of their house, they want to go to work, and they're not allowed to work, and they're not allowed to do it. A week is a long time.”
“The most important thing is for people to be safe,” Bass said sharply.
At the end of the roundtable, Bass quickly walked over and shook Trump’s hand and said, “we’re going to get it done.”
-ABC News’ Fritz Farrow and Molly Nagle