Biden Announces Aid for California Wildfire Victims

In January 2025, President Biden announced a $500 million military aid package for Ukraine amidst ongoing conflict with Russia, reaffirming U.S. support for global stability and democracy. Concurrently, he addressed the devastating wildfires in California, which had claimed numerous lives and left thousands homeless. Biden approved a one-time payment of $770 for wildfire victims to assist with immediate needs, alongside a commitment for the federal government to cover 100% of disaster response costs for six months. Following public criticism that the payment was insufficient given California's high cost of living, the administration clarified that additional federal resources and support for recovery efforts would be made available. This marked the 74th tranche of military assistance to Ukraine during Biden's presidency, totaling over $66 billion to date. The dual announcements underscored the administration's challenge in balancing international commitments with domestic crises.