President Joe Biden canceled his upcoming trip to Italy, originally scheduled for January 9-12, 2025, in order to concentrate on the federal response to severe wildfires in California. The announcement came on January 2, following Biden’s return from Los Angeles, where he met with emergency personnel combatting the destructive fires that had claimed at least five lives and destroyed hundreds of homes around the Los Angeles area, including the Hollywood Hills. The White House stated that Biden’s decision was made to ensure he could direct the federal response effectively in the days ahead. Earlier in the day, he had approved a Major Disaster declaration for California to mobilize resources for firefighting efforts. The wildfires in California have significantly strained firefighting resources and water supplies, highlighting the ongoing impact of these devastating incidents on communities in the region. Additionally, Biden had been scheduled to meet with Pope Francis, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during the Italy trip, underscoring the shift in focus due to the emergency situation at home.
