The political fallout of the California fires is already a major issue for both parties: From the Politics Desk

Welcome to the online edition of From the Politics Desk, our evening newsletter that brings you the latest reporting and analysis from the NBC News political team from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail.

In today’s edition, “Meet the Press” host Kristen Welker delves into how political leaders of both parties are responding to California’s wildfires. Additionally, White House senior correspondent Gabe Gutierrez sits down for a one-on-one interview with Donald Trump’s next border czar, Tom Homan. And Trump’s status as a convicted felon becomes official.

— Adam Wollner, Deputy Political Editor

Sign up here to receive this newsletter in your inbox every weekday.

The politics of the California wildfires are already a major issue for both parties.

Written by Kristen Welker

Wildfires continue to burn across Southern California, impacting communities and families who have lost their homes, livelihoods, and in some cases loved ones.

And the politics of disaster relief have already become a major challenge for both parties as authorities scramble to contain the fires and help thousands of Californians begin rebuilding.

As governor, Gavin Newsom is at the center of everything, tasked with the difficult responsibility of leading the recovery while answering some very serious (and in some cases not so serious) questions about the state’s preparedness and response. The success or failure of Mr. Newsom, one of the Democratic Party’s most high-profile leaders, in the coming months will depend on his success or failure in the coming months, especially ahead of his expected presidential bid as the party looks for a path forward. , will go a long way in determining his political future. .

And President-elect Donald Trump is also in crisis, choosing to blame Newsom and other Democrats as the fire continues to burn. This is a stark contrast to the way President Joe Biden has framed himself as the nation’s “comfort women.” “Chief” at the moment of tragedy. If Trump removes “elect” from his title in the next two weeks, he will also play a role in the economic recovery. And it’s clear that some of President Trump’s Republican allies are trying to take a different approach. Notice how Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin dodged questions from reporters at Mar-a-Lago about President Trump’s tone amid the ongoing disaster.

Disasters are some of the most difficult challenges political leaders face. These tragedies hit hard on those who were seen as having failed it (Hurricane Katrina damaged public confidence in George W. Bush). But you can promote leaders who are seen to be able to deal with them effectively (then-New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s standing improved after Hurricane Sandy, and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear lost his re-election bid). (He pointed out the response to floods and tornadoes when it was successful.) .

Both Newsom and Trump will be judged in the coming months and years by how they handle this moment, but that remains to be seen.

On Sunday’s “Meet the Press,” we’ll talk about all this and more with Sen. James Lankford, Republican of Oklahoma, and Sen. Alex Padilla, Democrat of California. Please take a look.

For the latest updates on California wildfires, follow our live blog →

Incoming border czar Tom Homan details Trump administration’s plans

Incoming border czar Tom Homan said in a one-on-one interview with NBC News’ Gabe Gutierrez at the U.S. southern border that the Donald Trump administration has taken steps to ensure that hundreds of thousands of migrants pass through the dangerous Panamanian jungle each year. He said he would close off a certain Darien Gap.

“It has to happen,” he said. “Closing the Darien Gap will protect national security. It will save thousands of lives.”

Panama has faced pressure to crack down on migrants in recent years, with the country’s immigration authorities announcing this month that the number of people passing through the 110-kilometre-long jungle had fallen by 42% last year.

Homan’s comments come as the president-elect begins to pursue an expansionist foreign policy. President Trump this week did not rule out using military force to retake the Panama Canal or capture Greenland.

“Collateral arrests”: Mr. Homan, who served as acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement during the first Trump administration, also said that President Trump’s mass deportation plan involves “collateral arrests” (those with no criminal records discovered during a search by ICE agents). It was acknowledged that illegal aliens) were included. target.

He also warned that workplace roundups will ramp up again soon after Trump takes office.

“We’re going to do it in a smart way,” Homan said. “We are still working out exactly how this will roll out, but[worksites]need to start operating again, because this is where the most victims of forced labor by many cartels are. Because that’s where it’s found.”

The $86 billion question: A key unresolved question is how the administration will pay for these ambitious plans. ICE already has a $230 million budget shortfall, and it’s unclear when and how Congress will agree to funding it. Homan said $86 billion would be a “great start,” noting it would be less than what the United States spent on military and other aid to Ukraine after the Russian invasion.

“What I’m saying is, ‘Are we going to protect other countries’ borders?’ Why not protect our borders too?” So please give me money to do this work,” he said.

When asked about how the Trump administration would pay for this deportation operation, Homan declined to say whether the agency would receive funding from the Pentagon.

“That decision has nothing to do with me,” he replied. “The Pentagon can certainly increase its strength.”

Read Gabe’s full interview →

For more, tune into “NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt” tonight at 6:30pm ET/5:30pm CT.

Trump was sentenced to no prison terms and became a convicted felon.

It’s official: Donald Trump becomes the first convicted felon to serve (or have served) as president.

Judge Juan Melchán, who handled the hush money case, on Friday issued a ruling for President Trump to be “unconditionally removed” from office. This means the president-elect will not be subject to additional penalties, but according to a report by Adam Reese, Gary Grumbach, Fallon Gallagher, and DeRae Gregorian, New York state law will He is currently a convicted felon.

This would end the case in which Trump was convicted of 34 felonies.

“This is a very bad experience,” Trump said, addressing the judge remotely from his home in Florida.

The ruling was handed down just 10 days before Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States.

“Never before has a more unique and remarkable set of circumstances been presented to this court,” Marchand said. “This is a truly unusual case.”

Mr. Trump’s lawyers had repeatedly asked for the lawsuit to be halted, but the U.S. Supreme Court declined to do so in a 5-4 decision late Thursday.

📜 Jack Smith Report Update: Trump suffered another legal setback Thursday night: A federal appeals court rules on the Justice Department’s report on Trump’s efforts to overturn his 2020 election defeat The court ruled that the book could be published. However, the judge’s order for a three-day adjournment to allow for further appeals was upheld.

That’s all from the political desk for now. Today’s newsletter was edited by Adam Wolner, Ben Kamisar, and Faith Wardwell.

If you have any feedback, love it or hate it, email us at politicsnewsletter@nbcuni.com.

And if you’re a fan, please share it with everyone. You can sign up here.