California Governor Gavin Newsom fired back at President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday following Trump’s remarks criticizing Newsom’s handling of the devastating wildfires ravaging Southern California.
Speaking to reporters after meetings on Capitol Hill, Trump accused Newsom of failing to “do a good job” in managing the fires. However, he acknowledged they had “worked well together” in the past and expressed hope they would again when Trump takes office later this month.
“It’s very sad because I’ve been trying to get Gavin Newsom to allow water to come — you’d have tremendous water up there. They send it out from the Pacific because they’re trying to protect a tiny little fish,” Trump said. “For the sake of a smelt, they have no water… It’s a mistake of the governor, and you could say, the administration.”
Newsom’s Office Responds
Newsom’s press office quickly rebutted Trump’s claims via social media, providing technical explanations for water management decisions.
“The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) reported that high water demand caused pump stations at lower elevations to lack the pressure needed to refill tanks at higher elevations,” the statement read. “Additionally, the ongoing fire has hampered crews’ access to the pumps.”
The statement added that water tenders were used to supply water to fight the wildfires, a standard approach in wildland firefighting.
Newsom’s office also dismissed Trump’s claims of a water shortage.
“Broadly speaking, there is no water shortage in Southern California right now, despite Trump’s claims that he would open some imaginary spigot,” the statement said, citing California officials who confirmed water reliability and supply remain stable, with enough water to serve 40 million people for a year.
Trump’s Criticism Escalates
Earlier in the day, Trump accused Newsom of refusing to sign a “water restoration declaration” and criticized the state’s low fire containment efforts.
“Let this serve, and be emblematic, of the gross incompetence and mismanagement of the Biden/Newscum Duo. January 20th cannot come fast enough!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Newsom’s office countered that no such document as a “water restoration declaration” exists, labeling Trump’s remarks “pure fiction.” They also clarified that the issues of water supply and transport are unrelated.
“Trump is conflating two entirely unrelated things: the conveyance of water to Southern California and supply from local storage,” the statement explained.
Despite the pushback, Trump continued his criticism late Wednesday with a scathing post on Truth Social, blaming Newsom for the wildfires and calling for his resignation.
“One of the best and most beautiful parts of the United States of America is burning down to the ground,” Trump wrote. “It’s ashes, and Gavin Newscum should resign. This is all his fault!!!”
Newsom’s Reaction
In an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, Newsom addressed Trump’s comments.
“One can’t even respond to it. I mean… people are literally fleeing. People have lost their lives. Kids lost their schools. Families completely torn apart. Churches burned down,” Newsom said. “This guy wanted to politicize it. I have a lot of thoughts, and I know what I want to say – I won’t.”
Newsom praised President Biden’s approach to the crisis, noting Biden’s avoidance of political rhetoric. On Wednesday, Biden joined Newsom at a Los Angeles fire station for a briefing on the wildfires, which have already claimed five lives and forced more than 100,000 residents to evacuate.
Newsom declared a state of emergency on Tuesday as the Palisades Fire grew beyond control, threatening over 28,000 structures in the Los Angeles area.