PACIFIC PALISADES, California — The Santa Ana wind sweeps briskly along Sunset Boulevard late on a Thursday afternoon, blowing ash and dust from the remnants of destroyed homes. But the fire engines at Los Angeles Fire Department Station 69 are sparkling clean, ready for President Donald Trump’s visit on Friday.
Earlier, the mayor’s office brought emotional support ponies. The firefighters and police mingled with the White House advance team.
At some point Friday, the president will arrive. He will walk the desolate streets of this once-perfect town. He will express his horror at the wreckage. He will criticize Governor Gavin Newsom for his failed wildfire policy. He will express astonishment that the fire hydrants ran out of water. He will note that Mayor Karen Bass was out of town.
He will thank the first responders and pose for photographs. And then he will leave. And…
