Trump is not letting the Democrats off the hook.
On Friday, former President Donald Trump made it clear he’s not willing to offer federal aid to Los Angeles in the wake of devastating wildfires until the state addresses two key issues: voter ID laws and water management. While visiting North Carolina to support hurricane recovery efforts, Trump told reporters that he wanted to see California implement voter ID measures to ensure “the people have a chance to vote” and called for the release of more water to flow into Los Angeles and the rest of the state.
“These are the two things I want to see. Once that happens, I’ll be the greatest president California has ever seen,” Trump said confidently, emphasizing his commitment to both securing election integrity and addressing water shortages, two issues central to his vision for California’s future. Later in the day, Trump was scheduled to visit Los Angeles to assess the damage from the wildfires and meet with local officials.
In response, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office quickly pushed back, fact-checking Trump’s comments on voting laws. Newsom’s team pointed out that voter ID laws are not universally required across the U.S. and that the state is already operating under the policies enacted during Trump’s first term, particularly in regard to water distribution. They also criticized the idea of conditioning federal aid, calling it inappropriate and unfair to American citizens in need of support.
Meanwhile, Republicans in Congress are considering attaching conditions to any aid packages, with some proposing that aid be tied to changes in California’s fire prevention policies or even a debt ceiling increase. Democrats, however, strongly oppose such conditions, warning that it could set a dangerous precedent.
Trump’s remarks also touch on his longstanding push for voter ID laws, a policy he’s championed in the fight against what he believes to be widespread election fraud. California’s legislature recently passed a law that will block voter ID requirements starting in 2026, a move sparked by local municipalities attempting to impose such measures. As wildfires continue to ravage California, these discussions highlight the deep divide over both how to manage the state’s resources and safeguard the integrity of its elections.