Joe Biden has visited the wildfire-hit island of Maui – following days of criticism over his response to the crisis.
The president and his wife, first lady Jill Biden, arrived on the Hawaiian island on Monday – 13 days after the wildfires that claimed at least 114 lives and devastated the historic town of Lahaina.
After touring the damage, he promised the federal government would help Maui “for as long as it takes” to recover from the devastation.
“The country grieves with you, stands with you and will do everything possible to help you recover,” he said in a speech, delivered next to a 150-year-old banyan tree in Old Lahaina which had been burned in the fires.
“Today it’s burned, but it’s still standing,” Mr Biden said of the tree.
“The tree survived for a reason. I believe it’s a very powerful symbol of what we can and will do to get through this crisis.”
Criticism of Biden’s response
It comes after Biden and his administration faced criticism over the response to the wildfires – the deadliest in the US in more than a century.
A protester held out a banner urging “relief for Maui now” as the president’s motorcade weaved through the streets of Lahaina, while another sign urged Mr Biden to “listen to the people”.