BURSTIn a post online Thursday, President-elect Trump called on California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) to “open up the water main” as fires in Los Angeles continue to rage.
“Governor Gavin Newscum should immediately go to Northern California and open up the water main, and let the water flow into his dry, starving, burning State, instead of having it go out into the Pacific Ocean,” Trump posted to Truth Social.
The president-elect continued to say that Newsom must act now, without “MORE EXCUSES,” calling the governor incompetent.
“IT’S ALREADY FAR TOO LATE!” he wrote.
Trump and Newsom have been engaged in political debate over the devastating fires.
Trump has cast blame on Newsom for the raging wildfires and has called on the governor to resign.
“One of the best and most beautiful parts of the United States of America is burning down to the ground,” Trump said late Wednesday. “It’s ashes, and Gavin Newscum should resign. This is all his fault!!!”
At least five people have died as the fires remain uncontained after the region experienced hurricane-force winds.
As of Thursday afternoon, the Pacific Palisades fire, west of Los Angeles near the coast, has burned nearly 27 square miles. The Eaton fire, north of Pasadena, has burned nearly 17 square miles. Several other small fires have popped up across the area, The Associated Press reported.
On Wednesday, Trump said Newsom should have signed a declaration to pump additional water through California to avert the situation. Current regulations limit the amount of water that can be pumped in order to protect a fish called smelt.
The president-elect said the ultimate price is being paid over the fish, calling on Newsom to allow water to “FLOW INTO CALIFORNIA.”
Newsom defended himself after Trump’s remarks, noting that people are fleeing, entire neighborhoods have been burnt down and Trump wants to politicize the moment.
“I have a lot of thoughts, and I know what I want to say,” Newsom said. “I won’t.”
Newsom was able to secure FEMA aid for the state as the fires continue.