Is Trump right?
As wildfires rage across California, President-elect Donald Trump is calling out Governor Gavin Newsom for his failure to act on water policy, claiming the Democratic governor’s refusal to sign a water restoration declaration is contributing to the devastating crisis in Los Angeles and beyond.
On Truth Social, Trump blamed Newsom for the ongoing disaster, pointing out that millions of gallons of water—harvested from excess rain and snowmelt in the North—could have been used to help prevent the fires from escalating. Trump argued that the water could have been directed to areas ravaged by the fires, but Newsom chose instead to prioritize environmental regulations over the safety and well-being of Californians.
“Governor Gavin Newsom failed to sign the water restoration declaration that would have brought much-needed water to the areas in crisis. This is a direct result of his decision to protect an unnecessary fish called a smelt, at the expense of the people of California,” Trump wrote. “His actions are putting lives at risk and endangering the entire state. The people of California deserve better leadership.”
Under current regulations, water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is limited due to concerns about the impact on fish species like the smelt. However, during Trump’s presidency, the administration rolled back some of these restrictions, asserting that increasing water supplies wouldn’t harm the fish populations. Despite this, Newsom and environmental groups continue to support water limits in an effort to protect the ecosystem.
Trump’s frustration didn’t stop there. He criticized Newsom for failing to provide sufficient resources for firefighters, adding, “No water for hydrants. No water for firefighting planes. A true disaster. Governor Newsom is directly responsible for this catastrophe!”
The wildfires, which have already claimed two lives and destroyed over 1,000 structures, continue to spread, with first responders working tirelessly to contain them. Trump’s accusations come as the Biden administration, alongside Newsom, announced changes to water policy aimed at providing more water to California farmers and residents while balancing environmental concerns.
However, Trump has been vocal on the campaign trail about withholding federal aid to California if Newsom doesn’t reverse the water policy. He has promised to ensure farmers receive the water they need, arguing that Californians should come before the interests of endangered species.
As residents flee the flames, the stakes are high for both the people of California and the future of state leadership. Trump’s criticism of Newsom is likely to intensify as the crisis continues, with many on the right seeing it as a failure of Democratic governance in the state.