As wildfires rage across Southern California, former President Donald Trump has pointed fingers at California Governor Gavin Newsom and President Joe Biden, blaming them for the devastation.
In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump made it clear: “He is the blame for this.” Trump went on to accuse Newsom of blocking a “water restoration declaration” that would have allowed millions of gallons of water to flow into the areas now being ravaged by flames. According to Trump, the water, which would have come from excess rain and snowmelt from the North, could have helped prevent the fires.
However, Newsom’s office quickly responded, calling Trump’s claim “pure fiction.” In fact, the governor’s team clarified that no such “water restoration declaration” ever existed.
It’s important to remember that during Trump’s first term, his administration directed water to farmers in the Central Valley and Southern California, even pumping water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, something Newsom had strongly opposed. The reasoning for this? New federal and state regulations now limit water pumping from the Delta to protect the endangered smelt fish.
Trump, however, has continued to argue that this restriction contributed to the wildfires. “You have no water down here,” Trump told reporters in September. “And the reason you have no water is because Gavin Newsom didn’t want to do it.”
While Trump’s attacks continued throughout the day, he also criticized President Biden and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), claiming that FEMA didn’t have enough funds to assist California. But in reality, recent congressional funding legislation passed in December allocated $100 billion in disaster aid, including $29 billion specifically for FEMA’s relief fund.
Biden also approved a major disaster declaration for California, ensuring that fire victims could access the resources needed for recovery.
In a twist later in the day, Trump seemed to soften his tone, acknowledging that he and Newsom had worked well together during his time in office. “We would work together,” Trump said, noting that it looked like it would be up to him to help rebuild California.
But by midnight, Trump’s frustration boiled over again. He posted: “One of the best and most beautiful parts of the United States of America is burning down to the ground. It’s ashes, and Gavin Newsom should resign. This is all his fault!!!”
As the fires continue to blaze, it’s clear that the political battle between Trump and Newsom is far from over.