POLITICS
Trump reignites wildfire management feud with Newsom
CALIFORNIA — President-elect Donald Trump has reignited a longstanding feud with California Governor Gavin Newsom over wildfire management, criticizing the governor in a post on Truth Social. Trump claimed that the ongoing fires in Southern California are due to poor management, a point of contention between the two leaders dating back to 2018.
In his Wednesday morning post, Trump accused Newsom of rejecting a water resource declaration that would have directed millions of gallons southward to combat the fires. However, the governor’s office refuted this claim in a tweet, stating, “No such document ever existed,” and called Trump’s assertion “pure fiction.” As of Wednesday afternoon, Trump and his team have not provided any proof this document exists.
Trump’s criticism has reignited the longstanding debate over California’s water policies, highlighting tensions between environmental conservation and resource management.
At the heart of the conflict is the state’s effort to balance water usage for agriculture, urban needs, and ecological preservation.
The delta smelt, a small fish endemic to California, symbolizes this ongoing struggle.