Trump Criticizes California Officials as 'Incompetent' Amid Wildfire Disaster

President-elect Donald Trump recently criticized California officials, calling them "incompetent" as wildfires continue to ravage Los Angeles. Speaking on Truth Social, Trump emphasized that this is one of the worst disasters in U.S. history and questioned the management capabilities of state leaders.

"Wildfires are still spreading across Los Angeles, turning this into one of the most severe disasters we’ve ever witnessed. The politicians there don’t know how to handle it. What is wrong with them?" he wrote.

Trump also expressed concern over the scale of destruction, stating that "thousands of magnificent homes have been reduced to ashes" and warning that many other areas face similar risks. "Death is everywhere," he stressed, though he refrained from naming any specific officials in his post.

The severity of the situation has raised numerous questions about how the California state government and the city of Los Angeles prepared to handle the wildfires. The rapid spread and immense devastation have overwhelmed local firefighting resources.

This isn’t the first time Trump has criticized California’s leadership regarding wildfires. He has previously attacked Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, for his delayed response to similar disasters.

In response, Newsom invited Trump to visit Los Angeles in person to assess the situation, but the offer appears to have been ignored.

In addition to Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has also faced harsh criticism. While wildfires were escalating, Mayor Bass was on an official trip to Ghana, a country in Africa.

This sparked public outrage, particularly as meteorological agencies had issued warnings about extreme weather conditions days in advance.

Management failures have only deepened public frustration. Budget cuts to firefighting services in recent years have significantly hindered the ability to respond effectively to the disaster.

On top of that, the accidental mass distribution of evacuation warnings to millions of people this week caused widespread confusion and eroded trust in the authorities.

During a press conference on January 9, when questioned about her trip to Ghana, Mayor Bass avoided a direct response. She instead promised that, once the crisis is under control, local authorities would review and address any errors by individuals or agencies involved.

However, critical challenges persist across various areas. In Pacific Palisades, one of the hardest-hit regions in western Los Angeles, many fire hydrants ran dry as massive flames swept through the area. Water shortages were not limited to this region and have hampered firefighting efforts in several other parts of the city.

According to the latest figures from California officials, the wildfires have claimed at least 16 lives, destroyed over 12,000 structures, and forced approximately 150,000 people to evacuate. The fire in Pacific Palisades continues to expand eastward and northward despite relentless efforts by firefighters.

Meanwhile, local residents have expressed anger over the government’s handling of the situation. Discussions about accountability and reforms within the management system have dominated media coverage.

Many argue that inadequate budget allocations and the lack of effective contingency strategies have contributed to the current crisis.

Facing mounting public pressure, both Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass are grappling with significant challenges in restoring public trust. As the wildfires continue to escalate, the key question remains: Can California’s leaders take decisive and timely actions to address the disaster and prevent similar catastrophes in the future?