As wildfires continue to wreak havoc in Southern California, the devastating impact is clear. At least five people have lost their lives, over 1,000 structures have been reduced to ashes, and tens of thousands have been forced to evacuate their homes. The fires are not only a natural disaster but also a political flashpoint as President-elect Donald Trump has publicly criticized Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for what he describes as mismanagement of the crisis. Trump has even gone so far as to call for Newsom’s resignation, blaming him for prioritizing environmental policies over essential firefighting resources.
2020: Trump warned Gavin Newsom about the lack of wildfire management in California.
2021: It turned out Newsom lied about wildfire management.
2024: Newsom cuts California fire budgets by $101 million.
2025: Unimaginable preventable destruction. pic.twitter.com/WgTUSOzBTT
— Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) January 10, 2025
The wildfires began earlier this week and have rapidly spread across Los Angeles County. The Palisades fire alone has consumed 18 square miles, while other blazes like the Eaton fire and Hurst fire continue to grow unchecked. Firefighters are struggling with critical shortages of personnel, equipment, and water, making containment efforts nearly impossible. High winds exacerbate the situation by carrying embers across neighborhoods, leaving destruction in their wake.
Trump’s criticism extends beyond Newsom to include L.A. Mayor Karen Bass. He accuses her of incompetence after she reportedly cut the fire department’s budget last year. This decision has come under scrutiny as residents demand accountability from their leaders during such a dire emergency. Adding fuel to the fire—literally and figuratively—Bass was out of the country when the fires broke out, leading to public outrage over her absence.
NEW: CA Governor Gavin Newsom says he is so furious at Trump for blaming him for the California fires that he won’t even respond.
Newsom, who has directed billions of gallons of water into the Pacific Ocean, fumed that Trump would blame him.
“One can't even respond to it… This… pic.twitter.com/scQo7BGi9v
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 9, 2025
In response to Trump’s accusations, Governor Newsom defended his actions during an interview amidst burning buildings. He emphasized the human toll of the disaster: lives lost, families displaced, schools destroyed—all while accusing Trump of politicizing a tragedy.