Wildfires are devastating parts of Los Angeles County.
According to Fox News, President-elect Donald Trump holds Governor Gavin Newsom accountable for these disasters, pointing to questionable water management and environmental strategies.
President-elect Trump has sharply criticized Governor Gavin Newsom for his handling of the ongoing wildfire crisis in Los Angeles County.
According to Trump, the governor's failure to sign a so-called "water restoration declaration" hindered efforts to control the fires. He alleged this declaration would have redirected northern water to fire-stricken regions.
Trump attributed the severity of the wildfires to Newsom's environmental priorities, which he claims favor a fish species over human water needs and firefighting resources. Trump expressed these views on social media, stating, "Governor Gavin Newsom refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snow, melt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way."
Moreover, Trump argued that Newsom's policies contributed to an unnecessary diversion of water resources needed to combat fires. Meanwhile, Governor Newsom has focused on immediate wildfire response and recovery efforts. In response, Izzy Gardon, Newsom's director of communications, dismissed Trump's claims as political distractions.
In the face of these catastrophic fires, Governor Newsom declared a state of emergency to intensify firefighting efforts in the affected areas. Four major wildfires are currently threatening at least 30,000 residents across Los Angeles County, with significant destruction in neighborhoods like Pacific Palisades and Sylmar.
The ongoing tension between Trump and Newsom also touches upon broader environmental and management issues. The Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, a vital water source for California, has long been a subject of dispute, mainly concerning its ecological and water distribution impacts. During his presidency, Trump repeatedly criticized California's forest management and once threatened to withhold federal funds unless officials made changes.
Governor Newsom, along with other state Democrats, argues that climate change sharpens worsening wildfire conditions. This perspective directly opposes Trump's dismissive stance on global warming impacts. In a prior exchange, Newsom sharply told Trump, "You don't believe in climate change. You are excused from this conversation."
Addressing Fox Digital, Gardon highlighted the administration’s priority amidst the crisis: "We’re focused on protecting lives and battling these blazes—not playing politics." In a direct denial of Trump's assertion, Gardon confirmed, "There is no such document as the water restoration declaration — that is pure fiction."
Trump has made vows to enhance water management in California by redirecting flows from northern regions, a controversial stance that he amplified during his electoral promises. The former president had once portrayed California's water system simplistically, stating, "You have millions of gallons of water pouring down from the north with the snow caps and Canada, and all pouring down and they have essentially a very large faucet."
In his criticism of the state's forest management back in 2018, Trump said, "There is no reason for these massive, deadly, and costly forest fires in California except that forest management is so poor."
As the region battles these relentless wildfires, Governor Newsom expressed gratitude towards the frontline responders: "Our deepest thanks go to our expert firefighters and first responders who jumped quickly into fighting this dangerous fire."
