President-elect Trump called on California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) to “open up the water mains” in an online post Thursday as fires continue in Los Angeles.
“Governor Gavin Newscome should immediately go to Northern California and open the water mains and instead of letting that water flow into the Pacific Ocean, it should flow into a state that is dry, hungry and burning.” Trump posted on Truth Social.
The president-elect continued to say Newsom must act now without “further excuses” and accused the governor of incompetence.
“It's too late!” he wrote.
Trump and Newsom are engaged in a political debate over the devastating fires.
President Trump blamed Newsom for the raging wildfires and called on the governor to resign.
“One of the greatest and most beautiful parts of the United States of America is being burned down,” President Trump said late Wednesday. “It's gone to ashes, Gavin Newscome should resign. This is all his fault!!!”
The region was battered by hurricane-force winds and the fire remains uncontained, killing at least five people.
As of Thursday afternoon, the Pacific Palisades Fire near the west coast of Los Angeles had burned about 27 square miles. The Eaton Fire north of Pasadena has burned about 17 square miles. Other small fires are occurring in various places. Associated Press reported.
On Wednesday, President Trump said Newsom should have signed a proclamation pumping additional water to California to avoid the situation. Current regulations limit the amount of water that can be pumped to protect a fish called smelt.
The president-elect said the ultimate price is being paid for fish and called on Newsom to allow “water to flow into California.”
Newsom defended himself after Trump's comments, noting that people were fleeing, entire neighborhoods were being burned, and that Trump wanted to politicize the moment.
“I have a lot of thoughts and I know what I mean,” Newsom said. “I don't.”
As the fires continued, Newsom was able to secure FEMA aid for the state.
