President Joe Biden on Wednesday canceled his upcoming trip to Italy to focus instead on the federal response to wildfires raging across Los Angeles, which have razed hundreds of homes and forced thousands to evacuate.

“After returning this evening from Los Angeles, where earlier today he had met with police, fire and emergency personnel … President Biden made the decision to cancel his upcoming trip to Italy to remain focused on directing the full federal response in the days ahead,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.

Biden had been due to travel to Italy from Thursday to Sunday, likely his final overseas trip as president.

AFP