Trump Blames Newsom for California Wildfires; Governor Denies Allegations
As wildfires continue to devastate Southern California, President-elect Donald Trump has sharply criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom, accusing him of mismanagement related to water resources. In a post on Truth Social, Trump called on Newsom to open water supplies from Northern California to assist with firefighting efforts in the south. Trump also blamed Newsom for the fires, claiming that his refusal to sign a “water restoration declaration” led to a shortage of water to combat the flames. However, Newsom’s office has dismissed these claims as “pure fiction.”
The issue of water supply has been a contentious topic, with Trump referencing past federal decisions during his administration that redirected water to Southern California. Newsom and other state officials have long opposed these policies, citing environmental concerns, particularly the protection of the endangered smelt fish in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.
Despite Trump’s assertions, experts and officials, including President Joe Biden, have clarified that the real issue is not a lack of water, but electrical outages that have affected pumps essential for providing water to fire hydrants. Biden explained that power shutdowns, intended to prevent fires sparked by power lines, had disrupted the water supply. CAL Fire has since brought in generators to restore pumping capabilities, and federal resources have been mobilized to support firefighting efforts.
Newsom’s office has also rejected Trump’s claims about a water restoration declaration, labeling it fictitious. The governor’s office emphasized that their focus is on protecting Californians and ensuring that firefighting teams have all the resources they need.
Trump has continued to criticize both Newsom and President Biden throughout the crisis, but later expressed a willingness to work with Newsom to address the damage caused by the fires. He also suggested that Newsom should resign, blaming him for the devastation in the state. The situation remains ongoing, with both federal and state authorities working to manage the fires and coordinate recovery efforts.
