In a Truth Social post on Wednesday, President-elect Donald Trump blamed California Governor Gavin Newsom for what he described as catastrophic wildfires in the state. Trump alleged that Newsom's water management and environmental conservation policies contributed to the ongoing crisis.
Why It Matters
Three major wildfires are raging across Los Angeles County, including the historic Palisades Fire, which has forced tens of thousands to evacuate amid dangerous, fast-moving flames. The wildfires are fueled by some of the strongest Santa Ana winds in recent memory, causing infrastructure damage and an ongoing state of emergency.
Many of the towering fires began Tuesday and were fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds, which gusted more than 70 miles per hour in some spots. The winds persisted Wednesday and made it too dangerous for aircraft to attack the fires from the sky, further hampering their efforts.
Newsom said the state has deployed over 1,400 firefighting personnel to battle the blazes. In a rare, urgent plea, the Los Angeles Fire Department asked all off-duty firefighters in the city to help.
What To Know
Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday: "Governor Gavin Newscum 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."
He further claimed that Newsom prioritized protecting the Delta smelt, a small fish species, over the needs of Californians. "Now the ultimate price is being paid," Trump added.
In response, Izzy Gardon, Director of Communications for Governor Gavin Newsom, told Newsweek: "There is no such document as the water restoration declaration, that is pure fiction. The Governor is focused on protecting people, not playing politics, and making sure firefighters have all the resources they need".
At the core of Trump's recent criticism is the ongoing debate over California's water policies, specifically those impacting the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. Trump has long claimed that water needed for fire prevention has been diverted to protect the delta smelt, an issue that has sparked controversy for years.
"The fires in Los Angeles may rank, in dollar terms, as the worst in the history of our country. Many are questioning whether insurance companies will even have enough money to cover this catastrophe," Trump wrote on Wednesday.
"Let this stand as a symbol of the gross incompetence and mismanagement of the Biden/Newsom duo. January 20th cannot come fast enough!" Trump added in another post on Truth Social.
The delta smelt, a small fish listed under the Endangered Species Act, requires specific water flow conditions to survive. These protections often lead to restrictions on how much water can be diverted for agriculture and urban use.
During his presidency, Trump advocated for increased water allocations to Central Valley farmers, calling environmental regulations overly restrictive. Environmental groups, however, warn that weakening these protections could further threaten already fragile species and ecosystems.
What People Are Saying
Ashley Overhouse, California water policy advisor for Defenders of Wildlife, in comments reported by CalMatters: "An administration led by President Trump will push a legislative and regulatory agenda that is designed to dismantle bedrock conservation laws."
President Joe Biden, on X: "I am being frequently briefed on the wildfires in west Los Angeles. My team and I are in touch with state and local officials, and I have offered any federal assistance that is needed to help suppress the terrible Pacific Palisades fire. Earlier tonight, FEMA approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant to support areas that are impacted and help reimburse the state of California for the immediate firefighting costs.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, on X: "California has deployed 1400+ firefighting personnel & hundreds of prepositioned assets to combat these unprecedented fires in LA. Emergency officials, firefighters, and first responders are all hands on deck through the night to do everything possible to protect lives."
What Happens Next
Santa Ana winds picked up late Tuesday and continued into early Wednesday, with stronger winds expected. Gusts could exceed 100 mph in mountains and foothills, areas that have gone months without significant rain, according to the National Weather Service.
Red flag warnings remain effective, signaling critical fire conditions caused by powerful winds and extremely dry air.
Update: 1/8/25, 5:41 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 1/8/25, 1:14 p.m. ET: This article was updated with a comment from Gavin Newsom's office.
Update 1/8/25, 1:04 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
About the writer
Jesus is a Newsweek reporter based in New York. Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, his focus is reporting on politics, current ... Read more