January 8th 2025.
In the midst of the ongoing wildfires, President-elect Donald Trump has made a bold statement, pointing fingers at California Governor Gavin Newsom for prioritizing the protection of fish over providing much-needed water to the Southern part of the state. Trump, a Republican, did not hold back in his criticism of the Democratic governor as the fires continue to ravage the affluent neighborhoods of Los Angeles, claiming the lives of two individuals.
The President-elect accused Newsom of turning a blind eye to the dire situation by refusing to sign a declaration that would have allowed millions of gallons of water to flow daily into areas that are now burning. Trump, who took to his social media platform, Truth Social, on Wednesday morning, claimed that the governor was more concerned about a species of fish called smelt, which he deemed to be worthless, rather than the well-being of the people of California.
Trump went on to blame Newsom for the current crisis, stating that his decision during his first term as governor has resulted in Californians paying the ultimate price. The President-elect vowed to take action and make sure that the governor allows clean and fresh water to flow into the state, as well as provide the necessary resources for firefighters to combat the blazes.
The reference to a presidential moratorium signed by Trump in 2020 seems to suggest that the President-elect believes that Newsom's policies may have contributed to the severity of the wildfires. However, the governor had previously condemned Trump's measure as harmful to the state's environment and pledged to take legal action to protect endangered fish species.
Newsom's communications director, Izzy Gardon, responded to Trump's claims, stating that the governor is focused on protecting lives and fighting the fires, rather than engaging in politics. Gardon also clarified that there is no such thing as a "water restoration declaration," as mentioned by Trump.
As the fires continue to rage and more than 70,000 residents have been forced to evacuate, Newsom declared a state of emergency and canceled his planned trip to attend former President Jimmy Carter's memorial service in Washington, DC. The governor also intends to lobby for additional federal funding before President Joe Biden's term comes to an end.
It is worth noting that this is not the first time Trump has criticized Newsom's handling of wildfires in California. In the past, he threatened to withhold federal funds if the state did not improve its forest management services. In a final jab at Biden, Trump claimed that the current President is leaving him with no water in the fire hydrants and no money from FEMA, as the crisis continues to escalate.
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