President-elect Donald Trump has accused California Governor Gavin Newsom of mismanaging the state’s water resources, contributing to firefighting challenges during the devastating Los Angeles wildfires this week.
“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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Trump criticized Newsom for prioritizing the protection of the Delta smelt, a fish he described as “essentially worthless,” over the water needs of Californians. “He wanted to protect an essentially worthless fish … but didn’t care about the people of California. Now the ultimate price is being paid,” he stated.
The president-elect continued, “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!”
Wildfires and Water Shortages
The Los Angeles Times reported that some fire hydrants in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood ran dry during efforts to battle the wildfires, further hampering firefighting efforts. Rick Caruso, a local developer and former commissioner of L.A.’s Board of Water and Power, described the issue as preventable.
“They can’t fight a fire without water and the resources that are needed,” Caruso told KTTV-TV. He criticized the local government for failing to refill reservoirs in a timely manner despite advance warnings about fire risks.
A spokesman for the L.A. Department of Water and Power confirmed the issue, noting, “Water crews were working in the neighborhood to ensure the availability of water supplies.”
Newsom’s Response and History
Governor Newsom declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, citing extreme fire risk from a “highly dangerous windstorm.” In the past, Newsom has clashed with the Trump administration over water policies. In 2020, he filed a lawsuit to block federal water rules that would have redirected water from northern California to southern areas, arguing the move violated the Endangered Species Act.
The Biden administration recently sided with Newsom by reinstating protections for species such as the Delta smelt and salmon.
Devastation and Controversy
As of Wednesday morning, at least four major wildfires were burning in the Los Angeles area, including the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, and Woodley fires. Over 1,000 buildings have been destroyed, and two fatalities have been reported.
Trump claimed the fires might become the costliest disaster in U.S. history, linking them to what he called the “gross incompetence and mismanagement” of both Newsom and the Biden administration. “January 20th cannot come fast enough!” he declared on Truth Social.
