Part 5/7:
Both leaders have clear motives in this interaction. Newsom needs immediate federal aid for recovery efforts, while Trump seeks to assert his influence and arguably exert pressure on Newsom for concessions related to federal funds. There is widespread acknowledgment that any aid coming from Washington will likely come with specific conditions attached—conditions that may range from regulatory changes to limitations on sanctuary policies.
The dynamics are further complicated by the political reality that Democrats in California may not wish to take a hardline stance against such federal demands, as this could jeopardize vital support from party lines when voting on aid packages.