On Wednesday, President-elect Donald Trump directed blame towards President Joe Biden and California Governor Gavin Newsom over the deadly wildfires ravaging Los Angeles. In a series of posts on his social media platform, Trump claimed that Governor Newsom had neglected to approve a water restoration declaration that could have provided essential water supplies to the regions affected by the fires. He argued that this inaction was focused on protecting what he called an "essentially worthless fish," the smelt, rather than addressing the needs of Californians. Trump emphasized that the wildfires were a consequence of such decisions, demanding that Newsom permit fresh water to flow into the state.

In a statement, Newsom’s communications director, Izzy Gardon, responded to Trump's accusations by labeling them as political theatrics during a crisis. Gardon pointed out that the concept of a "water restoration declaration" did not exist, labeling it pure fiction while asserting that Newsom was dedicated to the safety of residents and ensuring that firefighters had adequate resources. Following the outbreak of the fires, Newsom declared a state of emergency, which resulted in around 400,000 houses losing power, while Biden issued a major disaster declaration to expedite federal assistance.

Trump's references to water issues echoed a 2020 memorandum he signed aimed at directing water from Northern California to agricultural areas in the south. Newsom and then-Attorney General Xavier Becerra had opposed this move, emphasizing its detrimental impact on California's ecosystems. The governor has remained focused on fostering balance between water distribution and the protection of endangered species.

Further intensifying the back and forth, Trump threatened that federal disaster aid for California's wildfires could be withheld unless Newsom addressed the water situation favorably. In subsequent posts, Trump criticized Biden's role in the ongoing disaster and highlighted issues such as the unavailability of water for fire hydrants. After the fires led to a spike in water usage, city officials noted that the drop in water pressure in certain areas was a result of high demand from firefighters.

At the same time, Trump faced scrutiny for earlier spreading falsehoods regarding FEMA's disaster relief funding, implying that funds were being diverted elsewhere. Meanwhile, officials clarified that FEMA's disaster response efforts are supported through a dedicated fund, refuting notions of mishandling. As the wildfires continued, both Trump's and Newsom's actions and statements underscored the ongoing political discord amid a devastating natural disaster.