U.S. President Donald Trump visited disaster-hit western North Carolina on Friday and was traveling later to Los Angeles, promising help while stoking partisan tensions with Democratic rivals over recovery efforts.

President Donald Trump’s first trip since returning to the White House will take him to Asheville, North Carolina, and the Los Angeles area in California, communities where he has loudly criticized the federal response to recent natural disasters.

Trump visited areas impacted by flooding in North Carolina and fires in California. He suggested abolishing FEMA and putting conditions on fire aid.

In North Carolina Friday, President Donald Trump said he would sign an executive order aimed at what he said would address problems inherent to FEMA.

Donald Trump, who has been a vocal critic of the Biden administration’s response to Hurricane Helene, which struck North Carolina in September 2024, said that he would like to see states assume more responsibility in the aftermath of natural disasters, rather than the federal government.

President talks Russia, China, the Panama canal and windmills in second instalment of Oval Office interview with Fox News anchor Sean Hannity

President Trump wants states to have more control over disaster recovery efforts and suggested he would condition federal assistance to California after the fires on the state toughening its voter identification requirements.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump will travel to disaster-hit western North Carolina and Los Angeles on Friday in a trip that could inflame partisan tensions over recovery efforts.

In North Carolina, the president pledged “the support that you need to quickly recover and rebuild” after a hurricane. His message to fire-ravaged California had a different tone.

The devastating wildfires in Los Angeles carry a warning for western North Carolina: It could be next. Ironically, it’s a hurricane that has raised the fire risk. Hurricane Helene toppled trees over 820,000 acres of forest in western North Carolina in September. Now that debris could dry into kindling.

The company, which is a subsidiary of RTX Corp. (NYSE: RTX), is investing $285 million into its massive Asheville facility. Pratt & Whitney will add 325 jobs to the location. The N.C. Economic Investment Committee approved incentives for the company's expansion earlier today.

The large jet parts facility in Western North Carolina could get larger — though its presence hasn’t been without controversy. Raytheon, now named RTX Corp., is the parent company.