- Wildfires in Southern California have killed at least five people, destroyed over 1,000 structures, and displaced tens of thousands.
- President-elect Donald Trump blames Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass for mismanagement, calling for Newsom’s resignation.
- Firefighters face critical shortages of personnel, equipment, and water, with fires spreading rapidly and no containment in sight.
- Trump criticizes Newsom’s environmental policies, claiming they diverted water resources needed to combat the fires.
- President Biden pledges federal support as political tensions rise over the handling of the crisis.
As wildfires ravage Southern California, President-elect Donald Trump has called for the resignation of Gov. Gavin Newsom, accusing the Democratic leader of gross incompetence and misplaced priorities. The fires, fueled by hurricane-force winds, have killed at least five people, destroyed over 1,000 structures, and forced tens of thousands to flee their homes.
Trump’s scathing criticism comes as Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass face mounting scrutiny over their handling of the crisis, with accusations of poor resource management and misplaced focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives rather than public safety.
“One of the best and most beautiful parts of the United States of America is burning down to the ground. It’s ashes, and Gavin Newscum [sic] should resign. This is all his fault!!!” Trump wrote on Truth Social late Wednesday night. The president-elect has long criticized Newsom’s environmental policies, particularly his focus on protecting the endangered Delta smelt fish, which Trump claims has diverted water resources needed to combat the fires.
A state in flames
The wildfires, which began earlier this week, have spread rapidly across Los Angeles County, with the Palisades fire consuming 18 square miles, the Eaton fire burning 16.5 square miles, and the Hurst fire engulfing nearly 1 square mile. A new fire broke out in the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday, further straining already overwhelmed firefighting resources. High winds have carried embers across neighborhoods, leaving charred landscapes and destroyed homes in their wake.
Fire Chief Chad Augustin reported that between 200 and 500 structures have been damaged or destroyed in Pasadena alone, while the Palisades fire has claimed over 1,000 structures. Officials have described the situation as potentially the worst disaster in California’s history.
Trump’s condemnation of Newsom extended to L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, whom he accused of “gross incompetence” for slashing the fire department’s budget last year. Bass, who was in Ghana when the fires began, has faced backlash for her absence and her vague instructions to residents seeking emergency assistance. During a press conference, Bass directed residents to a “URL” for resources but failed to provide an actual web address.
“Fire is spreading rapidly for 3 days — ZERO CONTAINMENT. Nobody has ever seen such failed numbers before! Gross incompetence by Gavin Newscum and Karen Bass… And Biden’s FEMA has no money — all wasted on the Green New Scam! L.A. Is a total wipeout!!!” Trump posted Thursday morning.
Newsom, standing in front of burning buildings during an interview with CNN, shot back at Trump’s accusations. “People are literally fleeing, people have lost their lives. Kids lost their schools. Families are completely torn asunder. Churches burned down. This guy wanted to politicize? I have a lot of thoughts and I know what I want to say — I won’t,” the governor said.
A crisis of resources
The fires have exposed critical gaps in California’s emergency response capabilities. Firefighters have struggled to contain the blazes due to a lack of personnel, equipment, and water. Trump has repeatedly criticized Newsom for prioritizing environmental regulations over practical solutions, such as increasing water flow from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to aid firefighting efforts.
“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 to blame for this,” Trump wrote.
President Joe Biden, who canceled his final foreign trip to focus on the crisis, pledged federal support during a visit to Santa Monica. “We’re prepared to do anything and everything, as long as it takes to contain these fires and to help reconstruct,” Biden said.
As California grapples with one of its worst natural disasters, the political blame game has only intensified. Trump’s calls for Newsom’s resignation and his criticism of Bass highlight the deep divisions in how the crisis is being managed. With thousands displaced, lives lost, and communities destroyed, the focus must shift to effective action. For now, the flames continue to burn, and the people of California are left to pick up the pieces.
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