'He is the blame': Trump lashes out at Governor Gavin Newsom over California wildfires
Donald Trump lashed out at California Gov. Gavin Newsom in a Truth Social rant blaming him for wildfires that have forced tens of thousands from their homes in the Los Angeles area.
At least two people have been killed in the Eaton Fire, one of several life-threatening wildfires driven by high winds across Los Angeles County, and the president-elect took up a long-standing feud with the governor over water access in the state.
"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 posted on his social media website.
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Trump has proposed turning on a massive "faucet" to divert water in the drought-stricken state, but experts say there's just not enough for farmers and major cities to meet their needs, and environmentalists have fought against diversions from the Sacramento River and its tributaries to ensure the survival of wildlife in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
"He wanted to protect an essentially worthless fish called a smelt, by giving it less water (it didn’t work!)," Trump posted, "but didn’t care about the people of California. 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. On top of it all, no water for fire hydrants, not firefighting planes. A true disaster!"