Trump Blames Newsom for California’s Wildfires and Calls for Immediate Action

President-elect Donald Trump has placed responsibility for the massive wildfires in California squarely on Governor Gavin Newsom (D), accusing him of failing to act decisively to prevent the disaster.

Writing on Truth Social, Trump criticized Newsom for not signing a so-called "water restoration declaration," which he claimed would have redirected water from Northern California to help prevent fires in the Los Angeles area.

“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 stated. The declaration, which Newsom’s office dismissed as fictitious, is at the center of Trump’s criticism.

Federal and state regulations limit the amount of water pumped from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to protect an endangered fish species, the smelt.

Trump’s administration previously declared that increasing water pumping would not endanger the fish, a position environmental advocates have contested. Trump ridiculed these protections, calling the smelt “essentially worthless” and accusing Newsom of prioritizing the fish over California’s residents.

“He wanted to protect an essentially worthless fish called a smelt, by giving it less water (it didn’t work!), but didn’t care about the people of California,” Trump claimed in his post.

He further blamed Newsom for exacerbating the wildfire crisis, stating, “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.”

Trump also alleged that water shortages have hampered firefighting efforts, leaving hydrants dry and firefighting planes unable to operate effectively.

He described the situation as “a true disaster” and criticized Newsom’s management of the crisis, pointing out that containment efforts had made little progress.

Newsom’s office swiftly rejected Trump’s accusations, calling them baseless. “There is no such document as the water restoration declaration – that is pure fiction,” the governor’s office responded on X.

“The Governor is focused on protecting people, not playing politics, and making sure firefighters have all the resources they need.”

Despite the denial, Trump doubled down on his criticism, accusing Newsom of failing to contain the fires effectively.

“As of this moment, Gavin Newscum and his Los Angeles crew have contained exactly ZERO percent of the fire. It is burning at levels that even surpass last night. This is not Government. I can’t wait till January 20th!” he wrote on Truth Social, referring to his upcoming inauguration.

The wildfires, which began Tuesday, have already claimed two lives, destroyed over 1,000 structures, and continue to grow as high winds spread the flames. Residents are fleeing the affected areas, which are choked with smoke, while first responders work tirelessly to battle the blazes.

Last month, Newsom and President Joe Biden announced new regulations to improve water distribution to California farmers and residents, modifying a Trump-era policy. Environmental groups had pushed for the changes, arguing they were necessary to protect endangered fish species, including the smelt.

However, Trump criticized the new rules during his 2024 campaign, threatening to withhold federal aid for wildfire recovery if Newsom failed to reverse them. Trump promised to provide California with “more water than almost anybody has” to ensure farmers could fully utilize their land.

As the wildfires rage on, Biden and Newsom have been in frequent communication, with the president receiving updates on the situation. Biden is currently in the Los Angeles area and has spoken directly with both Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.

The White House confirmed that Biden received a briefing on the fires overnight and would continue to monitor developments closely.

Trump’s remarks highlight the political tensions surrounding California’s wildfire crisis and the broader debate over environmental regulations and water management.

As the state faces mounting devastation, the focus remains on supporting firefighters, aiding displaced residents, and finding solutions to mitigate future disasters.