Trump Labels California Officials 'Incompetent' Amid LA Wildfires Destroying 12,000 Structures, Killing 16

Jan 12, 2025, 03:23 PM

President-elect Donald Trump has criticized California officials for their handling of the wildfires raging in Los Angeles, labeling them as 'incompetent' for failing to control the blazes. Trump's comments, posted on Truth Social, highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that thousands of homes have been destroyed and the death toll has risen to 16. He questioned the inability of officials to extinguish the fires, describing the event as one of the worst catastrophes in U.S. history. The fires have consumed 37,000 acres and destroyed over 12,000 structures. In response, California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized Trump for spreading misinformation and politicizing the disaster, and invited him to visit the affected areas to see the damage firsthand. Newsom also addressed concerns about water management and infrastructure, which Trump had blamed for exacerbating the fire response challenges.