August 23, 2025 - WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Friday, Senator Rick Scott released the following:

Today, Senator Rick Scott wrote a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi requesting a briefing on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) National Response Team’s investigation of the causes and contributing factors of the January 2025 California wildfires, as well as receive an update on a public report to be shared with victims.

Earlier this week, Senator Scott joined Spencer Pratt (media personality and co-host of the 'Fame Game’ podcast) in the Pacific Palisades for a tour of destruction from these deadly fires. The Senator is committed to getting answers and support for the victims of this devastation, including leading new legislation to provide disaster tax relief for victims.

Read the full letter HERE or below.

Dear Attorney General Bondi:

I want to thank you for your efforts to help victims of the January wildfires in California and for the work your team is doing to help bring transparency and accountability to this horrific situation. 

The Palisades wildfire was among the most destructive in California history. It burned over 23,000 acres, destroyed more than 6,800 homes and businesses, caused up to $54 billion in damage, and claimed 12 lives.

After a recent tour through the Palisades with Mr. Spencer Pratt, who has been a longtime resident of the community, I saw firsthand the devastation that these wildfires caused. Not only did Mr. Pratt’s family lose their home, but his parents lost theirs as well. Countless others were impacted by these events, and they have questions about the contributing causes of these fires and how they could have been prevented. By raising awareness and taking legal action, Mr. Pratt has been leading the fight for answers. As a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which oversees disaster relief, I aim to help him, his neighbors, and the Los Angeles community in that fight.

The loss to the Palisades community is immeasurable. I know you have also met with Mr. Pratt and have dispatched the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) National Response Team to investigate the cause of the Palisades fire. I write to request a briefing by the ATF concerning the causes and contributing factors of the California wildfires from January 2025 and to get an update on the report that can be shared with the victims. I want to also give you a firsthand update on what I saw and heard from residents regarding the lackluster response from the State of California and local officials. It looks like the Palisades has been completely erased, and I was shocked at how little has been done in the last seven months to help people rebuild.

As Florida’s Governor and Florida’s Attorney General, we worked together in many natural disasters that impacted the State of Florida, and you have always been relentless in your efforts to take care of victims. I know you share my concern that we must help victims put their lives back together and examine how every state across our country can better prepare for these disasters moving forward. To this end, it is imperative that we study the response efforts in California to help us better serve all Americans and, ultimately, save lives.

Thank you again for everything your team is doing to assist victims of these fires. I look forward to working with your team so we can get to the bottom of this issue and ensure accountability. This is just the start of our efforts to help the victims of this destruction get answers and get back on their feet. Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you shortly.

Source: Senator Rick Scott