LEFT: (Gabrielle Lurie/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images) RIGHT: (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
While wildfires tore through Los Angeles County in California on January 8, Donald Trump chose to cast blame. The President-elect, who is just days from taking office, went IN on Governor Gavin Newsom via social media. Hours later, Newsom’s communications director blasted Trump for “playing politics.” Late Wednesday, the governor doubled down on that sentiment.
Speaking on CNN while boots on the ground in Southern California, Governor Gavin Newsom appeared shocked by Donald’s approach to the crisis.
“One can’t even respond to it. I mean…people are literally fleeing. People have lost their lives, kids lost their schools, families completely torn asunder, churches burned down. This guy wanted to politicize it. I have a lot of thoughts, and I know what I want to say, I won’t,” Newsom said.
The governor then pivoted to highlighting how President Joe Biden has shown up in the crisis. “I stood next to the President of America today, and I was proud to be with Joe Biden and he had the backs of every single person in this community. He didn’t play politics. He didn’t try to divide any of us.”
Earlier Wednesday, Newsom’s communications director, Izzy Gardon, told USA Today that part of Trump’s social media rant was “pure fiction.” Gardon denied that there was ever any legislation called the “water restoration declaration,” as Trump claimed.
“The Governor is focused on protecting people, not playing politics, and making sure firefighters have all the resources they need,” Gardon reportedly said.
At the time of Gardon’s statement, Gov. Newsom reportedly canceled his scheduled appearance at former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral in D.C. on January 9.
On Wednesday (January 8), Trump started his Truth Social rant by addressing Newsom as “Governor Gavin Newscum.” He then alleged that the California wildfires resulted from the politician refusing to sign “the water restoration declaration.”
Trump wrote that the legislation would’ve “allowed millions of gallons of water” from rain and melted snow in the north to flow daily into other parts of the state. “…including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way,” the President-elect added.
Donald Trump also alleged that Governor Gavin Newsom wanted to protect an endangered fish species called the Delta smelt more than Californians. The species lives in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. In 2019, environmentalists and Cali officials reportedly argued against adding more water to the river because it could mean extinction for salmon, smelt, and steelhead. At that time, the Trump Administration wanted to send more water to growers in the state’s center. Note that it’s unclear whether Trump’s water policy recommendation would’ve prevented the current wildfires in California or aided in taming them.
“Now the ultimate price is being paid. I will demand that this incompetent governor allow beautiful, clean, fresh water to FLOW INTO CALIFORNIA! He is the blame for this. On top of it all, no water for fire hydrants, not firefighting planes. A true disaster,” Trump said.
According to CNN, five wildfires are raging “mostly uncontained” in Southern California. The Palisades Fire has now been named the “most destructive” to ever happen in the L.A. County area. It continues to burn the seaside area between Malibu and Santa Monica and has reportedly spread more than 17,000 acres. Between the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire, almost 2,000 homes, businesses, and other buildings have burned to the ground. At least people are dead, and more than 130,000 have been given evacuation notices and warnings.
The flames began burning on Tuesday and quickly spread thanks to a dry season and winds, including Santa Anas. The Associated Press said the dry winds increased to 80 mphearly Wednesday. Now, weather experts predict they could reach 100 mph in mountains and foothills — making containing the California wildfires challenging.
The Los Angeles area is covered in a thick cloud of ash and smoke as thousands of firefighters fight flames. The local fire department is asking other off-duty and out-of-state firefighters to join their plight.
