The demand further politicized a fragile situation that has left Gov. Gavin Newsom scrambling to respond to the whims of the president — or even to speak with him at all — to secure billions of dollars from the federal government to help Los Angeles fight an ongoing firestorm and rebuild.

Experts say compromise might be needed to get the president’s support for a big aid package. Some say politicization of the process would set a bad precedent.