As California faces the most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles County’s history, the debate over responsibility intensifies. The Palisades Fire, now spanning over 17,000 acres with zero containment, has left five people dead, destroyed thousands of structures, and forced nearly 180,000 residents to evacuate. Amid this devastation, political leaders are trading accusations, with Governor Gavin Newsom at the center of the controversy. Critics argue that Newsom’s administration has failed to implement basic forest management practices, leaving the state vulnerable to catastrophic wildfires while using climate change as a convenient excuse.
Trump’s Criticism of Newsom
President-elect Donald Trump has pointedly blamed Governor Newsom for the wildfires, describing them as a direct result of “gross incompetence and mismanagement.” Trump, speaking to reporters, said, “It’s very sad because I’ve been trying to get Gavin Newsom to allow water to come – you’d have tremendous water up there, they send it out from the Pacific – because they’re trying to protect a tiny little fish.” He claimed that water policies designed to protect the delta smelt have diverted resources away from fire prevention and firefighting efforts.
In a scathing Truth Social post, Trump doubled down, stating, “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 snowmelt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way. He wanted to protect an essentially worthless fish called a smelt… Now the ultimate price is being paid.” Trump even called for Newsom’s resignation, declaring, “One of the best and most beautiful parts of the United States of America is burning down to the ground… This is all his fault!!!”
Newsom’s Defense and Climate Focus
Governor Newsom dismissed Trump’s claims as “pure fiction,” emphasizing that there is no water shortage in Southern California. His office released a statement explaining, “The conveyance of water to Southern California and supply from local storage are unrelated… There is no such document as the water restoration declaration – this is pure fiction.” Newsom’s office also pointed out that water tenders and other resources were used to support firefighting efforts, as is standard practice (and yet his state is still burning).
In an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, Newsom expressed frustration over the politicization of the disaster. “People have lost their lives, kids lost their schools, families completely torn apart,” he said. “This guy [Trump] wanted to politicize it. I have a lot of thoughts, and I know what I want to say – I won’t.” Newsom also praised President Biden’s response, noting that he “didn’t play politics.” (And yet his state is still burning).
While Newsom has consistently pointed to climate change as the primary driver of California’s worsening wildfire crises, critics argue that this perspective serves as a distraction from his administration’s lack of tangible action. Proactive forest management practices, such as clearing dead and dying trees, implementing controlled burns, and creating firebreaks, have long been recommended by experts but largely overlooked.
Zinke’s Critique of Long-Term Neglect
Former Interior Secretary and current Congressman Ryan Zinke added to the criticism of California’s wildfire response, saying, “Wildfires are indicative of not managing for years.” Speaking to Newsmax, Zinke emphasized that poor forest management has allowed fuel to accumulate, increasing the scale and severity of wildfires. “It doesn’t matter your stance on climate change… if you don’t manage the forests, you’ll face disasters like this,” he said.
Zinke also pointed to urban sprawl as a contributing factor. “Houses are now built in areas that weren’t previously developed,” he explained. “This urban encroachment increases both the risk and the scale of destruction.” These factors, combined with high winds and prolonged droughts, have created a perfect storm of vulnerability.
The Palisades Fire’s Devastation
The Palisades Fire, which began on January 7, has already been labeled “one of the most destructive natural disasters in the history of Los Angeles” by Los Angeles City Fire Chief Kristin Crowley. Nearly 2,000 homes, schools, and businesses have been reduced to ashes. Additionally, polluted air and unsafe water have created hazardous conditions for residents across the region.
The fire has been fueled by intense Santa Ana winds, with gusts reaching up to 60 miles per hour. While a brief lull in the winds allowed fire crews to make some progress, forecasters warn of another round of strong winds in the coming days, potentially reigniting critical fire weather conditions.
The Climate Change Excuse
Critics contend that Newsom’s focus on climate change conveniently shifts blame while ignoring solutions that could have been implemented years ago. Zinke stressed the importance of removing dead wood and diversifying tree species, calling these steps “critical for preventing future disasters.”
Governor Newsom’s leadership is now under intense scrutiny. Critics argue that his administration’s reliance on long-term climate rhetoric has come at the expense of immediate, practical actions. The Palisades Fire is not an isolated incident but part of a pattern of escalating wildfire seasons that demand urgent reform.
As California battles the Palisades Fire and other blazes, the need for comprehensive solutions has never been clearer. Controlled burns, updated urban planning, and enhanced firefighting resources are tangible measures that can save lives and property. Too bad that Newsome didn’t start earlier. Critics assert that hiding behind climate change as an explanation only delays necessary reforms.
For Governor Newsom, the stakes could not be higher. His response to this crisis will shape not only California’s future but also his political legacy. Meanwhile, as President-elect Trump prepares to take office, federal pressure on California to reform its wildfire prevention strategies is likely to increase.
NP Editor: Climate Change has become a type of religion with some liberals, blaming it much like others say “it is God’s will.” But politicians are more and more using it as an excuse for their failures and lack of diligence, attempting to deflect blame and in fact direct blame to conservatives who are more skeptical.
The scariest thought has been that Newsome could rise to become a leader in the Democrat Party, perhaps even running for President at some point, even with his woke perspectives, his failures with immigration, homelessness and much more, and the revelations of his lack of diligence in fire management. If he had handled this correctly, it might have propelled him to those heights in his political career. As it stands, his incompetence is blatantly obvious, and we believe this will sink his political career.
