(Luis Cornelio, Headline USA) A top Democrat senator and ally of President Joe Biden addressed the failures in the government’s response to the devastating wildfires that swept through Hawaii, leaving 93 individuals dead.
Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, admitted to the shortcomings that led to the catastrophe during an interview with CNN host Jake Tapper on Sunday.
During the interview, Tapper pressed Hirono about statewide assessments claiming the low threat of wildfires to Hawaii residents. Tapper also highlighted reports that the state government issued no warnings leading to the fire. Notably, none of the 80 warning sirens on the island were triggered.
“Why do you think officials were so unprepared for this?” Tapper asked Hirono in the Sunday edition of CNN’s State of the Union.
In response, Hirono acknowledged the lack of proper response. “I’m not going to make any excuses for this tragedy,” she said. She revealed that the attorney general had initiated a review of the incident, including the issues with the warning sirens and other actions taken.
Hirono further underscored the gravity of the situation, stating, “This is an entire town that has burned to the ground. Some 11,000 residents live there and the tourists who were there, thousands were evacuated.”
The interview shed light on the immediate and long-term challenges Hawaii faces in the aftermath of the wildfires.
Hirono’s comments came the same day after Biden faced scrutiny after responded, “No comment” when questioned about the deaths in Hawaii.
Wow. What a scumbag. https://t.co/1Dxt1qanPq
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) August 14, 2023
Prominent voices took to Twitter to condemn Biden’s lack of empathy for the deceased in the wildfires, with popular podcast host Matt Walsh calling him a “scumbag.”
While Biden refused to elaborate on any comments on Sunday, the White House had issued a statement offering his thoughts on the matter.
“Jill and I send our deepest condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones in the wildfires in Maui, and our prayers are with those who have seen their homes, businesses, and communities destroyed,” Biden stated on Aug. 9.
On the other hand, former President Donald Trump, a leading candidate for the Republican nominee president, blasted state officials in Hawaii for blaming climate change on the deadly wildfire.
“Our government was not prepared,” Trump said in a video shared by Jason Miller, a campaign aide. “Very importantly, the aftermath is going very poorly with the governor of the island wanting to do nothing but blame it on global warming and other things that happened to pop into his head.”
Statement from President Donald J. Trump on Devastating Maui Wildfires pic.twitter.com/8MWvDWfAvD
— Jason Miller (@JasonMillerinDC) August 14, 2023
