Official announcements from the California Governor's Office or local news outlets

Trump Blames Newsom's Water Policies for Wildfires, Calls Situation 'A True Disaster'

Jan 8, 2025, 05:10 PM

President-elect Donald Trump has criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom over the ongoing wildfires in Southern California, particularly in the Los Angeles area. Trump blamed Newsom's management of forests and water resources for contributing to the fires, calling the situation 'a true disaster'. He accused the governor of refusing to sign a water restoration declaration that would have allowed millions of gallons of water from excess rain and snowmelt to flow into affected areas, potentially aiding in fire prevention and firefighting efforts. Trump alleged that firefighters are running out of water due to these policies, emphasizing that there is 'no water for fire hydrants' and 'not firefighting planes'. He also claimed that Newsom prioritized protecting an endangered fish, the smelt, over the needs of the state's residents. Trump referenced previous warnings he had given about the importance of proper forest management, including comments made during an appearance on Joe Rogan's podcast. Additionally, Governor Newsom faced criticism for a perceived 'photo op' at the wildfire site, with some accusing him of inaction during the crisis.