President Joe Biden is met by angry demonstrators in Maui for his ‘late’ and inept’ reaction to the devastating wildfires.
When visiting Maui on Monday to see the damage brought on by the terrible wildfires that took at least 114 lives last week, President Joe Biden encountered a nasty greeting. As he departed Kapalua Airport in his motorcade, he was greeted by irate demonstrators who raised middle fingers, yelled obscenities, and brandished banners that read “no comment.”
Residents in Maui’s western region, where the ancient town of Lahaina was destroyed by fire on August 8, made up the majority of the demonstrators.
Biden’s slow response fueled the fire
They said that Biden responded to the crisis slowly, uncaringly, and ineffectively.
Shortly before he gave a scripted statement applauding the government efforts, despite objections from neighbors who complained they did not receive enough support, they shouted “Go home Joe!” as Biden drove past.
The 80-year-old incumbent who is up for re-election in 2018 has come under heavy assault, even from some Democrats, for his lack of urgency and empathy in the wake of the biggest US wildfires in more than a century.
Dennis Mullen, 58, of Kahana, who claimed that the airfield where the presidential jet landed was barely ever utilized to bring in much needed supplies, questioned, “Where has the president been?”
Any number of military planes, helicopters, and airplanes might have flown in. It seemed absurd to abandon a community that had recently suffered great destruction. “The runway wasn’t cratered.” Mullen sad
Neighborhoods burning and no aid provided
There was a dire need on the west side of Maui where neighborhoods had burnt down, but no one came to aid.
A number of apparent mistakes by officials, including failing to sound emergency alarms or release water in time to fight the fire, contributed to the high death toll on Maui.
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Children were among the dead, including a 7-year-old kid who perished in the car with his family. Approximately 850 individuals are still missing, and the majority of the deceased have not yet been recognized. After spending time on a Delaware beach on August 13, Biden startled and enraged Hawaiians when he responded “No comment” when questioned about the disaster.
When asked about his forthcoming visit to Maui on Thursday, Biden declined to comment, responding, “No, not now.”
As the president’s convoy passed, Dean Fuchs, 59, of Kihei in eastern Maui, reversed a Hawaiian state flag.
Do you think the president is running a little late? Fuchs said.
“It was disrespectful to the people of Maui who have lost so much when he was asked about the disaster there and he said ‘no comment,'” he continued.
We’re here to express our displeasure with the federal reaction to the president.
