In times of national tragedy, Americans have always come together to support one another, setting aside politics for the greater good. But today, as California burns, some of our leaders seem more interested in scoring political points than upholding this sacred duty.
In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated Louisiana, leaving unimaginable destruction in its wake. Americans, regardless of party affiliation, rallied to help. Nearly 20 years later, that spirit of unity feels like a distant memory. Today, as wildfires ravage California, destroying homes and taking lives, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson cynically holding disaster relief aid hostage unless Democrats agree to raise the debt ceiling. This political posturing during a time of national tragedy is a betrayal of our most fundamental values.
Another condition Speaker Johnson has suggested is forcing California to make changes to its water resource management and forestry management. When Louisiana needed help after Katrina, California was there. CALFIRE, the state’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, dispatched Urban Search and Rescue teams to the Gulf Coast. Now, Speaker Johnson is attacking the very agency that once came to his state’s aid. This divisiveness marks a stark departure from the bipartisan cooperation that historically defined America’s disaster response.
The hypocrisy doesn’t end there. Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, a state that receives $1.25 in federal funds for every $1.00 its residents pay in taxes, insists California “doesn’t deserve” any funding and shouldn’t receive aid unless they “change their ways.” Yet, after Katrina, no one questioned Alabama’s management of sea walls before sending federal resources. The federal government repaired roads, rebuilt schools, provided small business loans, and revitalized communities without attacking Alabama’s leadership. That’s what Americans do — we help each other without hesitation.
This new wave of political opportunism, championed by Johnson, Tuberville, and others, is a disservice to the American people. It reflects a profound failure of leadership. These men are not patriots. True patriots do not exploit tragedy to score political points. They step up to support their fellow citizens. George W. Bush, in the wake of Katrina, made it clear: “Our first priority is to save lives.” President Joe Biden echoed this sentiment after Hurricane Ian in 2022: “We’re not leaving until this gets done. I promise you that.” That is the kind of leadership we need — compassionate, decisive, and focused on helping people.
Perhaps the words of modern presidents are too politically charged to resonate with Speaker Johnson and his allies. Let them turn instead to the wisdom of our Founders.
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Thomas Jefferson declared, “The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only legitimate object of good government.” John Adams wrote that government exists “for the common good; for the protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness of the people.” And George Washington challenged us, “We are either a united people, or we are not. If the former, let us, in all matters of general concern act as a nation, which has national objects to promote, and a national character to support.”
In moments of crisis, our nation’s greatness has always been defined by unity and compassion. Turning tragedy into a political weapon is not just unpatriotic — it is un-American. Now is the time to rise above pettiness and reaffirm our commitment to one another. We must be a nation of patriots, united by shared values and a determination to help our fellow citizens, no matter where they live or how they vote.
It’s time to decide who we are. Are we a nation of Mike Johnsons and Tommy Tubervilles, who exploit tragedy and hold disaster aid hostage for political gain? Or are we the kind of Americans who make proud the legacy of Washington, Jefferson, and Adams? I stand with the people of California and urge Speaker Johnson to do the same. Our fellow Americans deserve better. Let us act not as partisans, but as patriots, united in compassion and resolve.
