"SACRAMENTO, Calif. - U.S. President Donald Trump cannot withhold disaster relief once an emergency has been declared, federal statutes show, despite the Republican’s tweet on Wednesday that he had ordered the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to cease helping victims of last year’s California wildfires.

At FEMA offices near the site of last year’s devastating Camp Fire, which destroyed the town of Paradise and killed 86 people, disaster victims continued to apply for government aid to pay bills, buy food and rebuild their businesses.

“FEMA is here and people are signing up and they’re getting relief right now,” James Gallagher, the Republican state assemblyman who represents the area, said in a telephone interview."

Sharon Bernstein reports for Reuters January 9, 2019. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"California Republicans Object After Trump Threatens Wildfire Aid" (Reuters) [3]

"Firefighters Union Rips Into Trump Over Threat To Withhold FEMA Funding From California" (The Hill) [4]

"Trump 'Weaponized' Disaster Aid Against Political Opponents" (ClimateWire) [5]

"Pelosi: Trump FEMA Threat Insults Memory Of Americans Killed In Wildfires" (The Hill) [6]