California Governor Gavin Newsom (Democratic) on Friday invited President-elect Trump to California amid a war of words between the two leaders over wildfires in the Los Angeles area.
“In the spirit of this great nation, we must not politicize a human tragedy or spread disinformation from the sidelines,” Newsom said in a letter to Trump. “Hundreds of thousands of Americans who have been forced to flee their homes and feel uncertain about their futures deserve to see us all work to put their interests first and ensure rapid recovery and rebuilding. .”
Newsom cited President Trump's visit to California during the Camp and Woolsey fires in 2018.
“As I prepare to assume the Presidency again, I invite you to come to California once again to meet Americans affected by the fires, see firsthand the devastation, and join me and others in honor of our brave firefighters. We would like to express our gratitude to the officers and first responders who are putting their lives at risk,” he wrote.
Newsom also praised President Biden's assistance in fighting the fires and said he was grateful that the president quickly issued a disaster declaration.
The letter comes as California's governor and the president-elect are at odds over Newsom's response to the wildfires.
In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump called on Newsom to resign.
“One of the greatest and most beautiful parts of America is burning to the ground,” President Trump said. “It's gone to ashes, Gavin Newscome should resign. This is all his fault!!!”
The president-elect also said Newsom should have signed a proclamation pumping additional water to California to avoid the situation.
Mr. Newsom's office pushed back against the accusations, calling them “pure fiction.”
The governor himself hit back at Trump, accusing him of politicizing the fires.
“People are literally fleeing,” Newsom told CNN's Anderson Cooper in an interview that aired Wednesday. “People lost their lives. Children lost their schools, families were completely torn apart, churches were burned down.”
“This guy wanted to politicize it,” he added, talking about Trump. “I have a lot on my mind and I know what I'm going to say. I don't do it. Today I stood next to the President of the United States and I was proud to be with Joe Biden and he He had the support of everyone in this community and was not political.
The wildfires have killed at least 10 people and destroyed more than 10,000 structures. More than 300,000 residents are under evacuation orders or warnings.
