Newsom, seeking federal funds for L.A. wildfire recovery, is denied meeting with key Trump officials

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WASHINGTON — Gov.Gavin Newsom kept a low profile as he swung through the nation’s capital this week, holding meetings with a handful of lawmakers Friday on Capitol Hill as he renewed calls for billions in federal recovery aid following the Los Angeles fires.For a governor who has spent recent weeks in the spotlight — trailed by cameras at the U.N.

climate summit in Brazil last month and featured at the New York Times’ DealBook Summit on Wednesday — the muted Washington stop stood out.As he moved between offices on Friday, the halls were quiet, with many lawmakers already en route home for the weekend.The governor’s office disclosed little before his trip about Newsom’s schedule in Washington, saying afterward that he met with five lawmakers, including three who serve on the Senate and House Appropriations committees, as well as Sen.

Alex Padilla (D-Los Angeles) and Rep.Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks).Newsom told The Times that the Federal Emergency Management Agency denied his request for a meeting, a setback that underscored the political friction with the Trump administration surrounding California’s $33.9-billion appeal for long-term disaster funding nearly a year after the devastating Los Angeles fires ignited.

The governor said his visit was meant to make “the universal case for support for recovery,” not just for California, but for other states that were hit with disasters, such as Texas and North Carolina.“We’re getting to the point where we need to see action, and so that’s why we’re stepping up our efforts,” Newsom said as he left a meeting with Sen.

John Boozman (R-Ark.), a tenured member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.Newsom noted that the funding is vital for fire victims.“They should not be revictimized through politics, or by politics or politicians,” Newsom said.“There’s nothing more American than being there for ...