Former Vice President Kamala Harris made her way to Altadena, California, this week to survey the aftermath of the Eaton fire disaster. While speaking to affected residents and firefighters, Harris delivered remarks centered on the theme of “community,” though her phrasing drew some attention for its complexity.

Harris expressed gratitude to the California firefighters for their heroic efforts and acknowledged the volunteers from World Central Kitchen who had come to assist. However, her commentary on “community” leaned into abstract language.

“These are strangers, who, in the face of that stranger, they see a neighbor. These are folks who understand the strength and value of community, which is everyone coming together with a shared sense of purpose and identity as a community of people,” she remarked. “I wanted to come by, most importantly, to thank them, those who have volunteered and have brought people together and have sacrificed so much. And our firefighters, and I mentioned to these firefighters, the fact that California firefighters, time and time again, prove themselves to be the best.”

During her time in Altadena, Harris joined efforts with World Central Kitchen, helping to serve meals to those in need. She reportedly avoided visiting the heart of the fire-ravaged area out of concern that her presence might disrupt ongoing recovery work. Despite speculation about her future political ambitions, Harris did not outline any strategies for preventing similar disasters, even as some have floated her name as a potential candidate for governor when Gavin Newsom steps down in 2026. Mercury News noted:
“Most failed presidential candidates never seek any office again — but when they do, they often give the presidency one more try. Hello Trump II.”

Dan Schnur, a political analyst and professor at USC, weighed in on Harris’s potential career moves. “It would be rare for Harris to run for an office other than president,” he stated, “but being governor of her home state could potentially be very alluring for her.”

Harris, now 60 years old, remains a prominent political figure with a Brentwood home she shares with her husband, Doug Emhoff—a residence that was spared during the recent Los Angeles wildfires. She retains a strong fundraising network and holds a mixed reputation among Democrats nationwide, who once anticipated seeing her sworn in as president.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is also set to visit California, though it remains unclear whether he will tour the damage caused by the Eaton fire, the Palisades fire, or both. In his inauguration speech, Trump criticized the country’s inability to handle disasters effectively.
“Our country can no longer deliver basic services in times of emergency, as recently shown by the wonderful people of North Carolina who have been treated so badly and other states who are still suffering from a hurricane that took place many months ago, or more recently, Los Angeles, where we are watching fires still tragically burn from weeks ago without even a token of defense,” Trump said.

He went on to highlight the human toll of such disasters, emphasizing the urgency of action. “They’re raging through the houses and communities, even affecting some of the wealthiest and most powerful individuals in our country, some of whom are sitting here right now. They don’t have a home any longer. That’s interesting. We can’t let this happen,” he concluded.

{Matzav.com}