Gavin Newsom criticizes ‘hurricane-force’ misinformation regarding Los Angeles fires
A significant portion of the criticism has originated from Republicans, among them President-elect Donald Trump.
TroibNews 
SAN FRANCISCO — On Friday, California Governor Gavin Newsom conveyed to President Joe Biden the urgent need for the country to combat the “hurricane-force winds of mis- and disinformation” surrounding the deadly fires wreaking havoc in the Los Angeles area.
During a White House briefing conducted over video from Los Angeles, the Governor expressed concerns that fire crews and first responders are grappling with falsehoods spreading online regarding the wildfires, which have claimed at least 10 lives and destroyed over 10,000 homes and structures.
“People want to divide this country,” Newsom remarked while addressing Biden. “It breaks my heart as people are suffering and struggling that we’re up against those hurricane forces as well.”
Newsom, alongside Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, has been the target of significant criticism regarding their handling of the fires that erupted on Tuesday, fueled by a powerful windstorm that produced nearly 100-mph gusts in the drought-affected region.
Much of the backlash has come from Republican leaders, including President-elect Donald Trump, who on Thursday demanded via Truth Social that Newsom “open up the water main” in Northern California to facilitate water flow to the south as fire hydrants are running dry. However, such a central water valve does not exist in the state.
On Friday, Newsom refrained from identifying specific false claims. Nonetheless, social media has been inundated with altered images — including fake illustrations of flames engulfing the Hollywood Sign — alongside a plethora of inaccurate information regarding firefighting efforts and the state's water supply.
From the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, with Vice President Kamala Harris in attendance, Biden assured Newsom and Bass that disaster relief funding and other forms of support would be expedited.
“This is not going to be over even when the fires are out,” Biden noted. "We're going to be around."
Biden also aimed a critique at Trump, who had previously suggested during his administration that “raking” California's forests could help mitigate wildfires. While the causes behind the Los Angeles fires remain undetermined, Biden pointed out that many fires are typically linked to high-voltage transmission lines and emphasized the need for increased federal funding to bury power infrastructure.
"The idea is, if we have these wires underground, which is a hell of a lot safer, we wouldn't have as many fires as we have now," he stated.
Additionally, both Biden and Newsom discussed reports of looting in evacuation zones across Los Angeles, where 150,000 residents have been ordered to leave their homes. Newsom revealed that the state has dispatched 855 National Guard troops to patrol disaster-affected areas, while Biden indicated that his administration would augment that policing presence, though specifics weren't provided.
"There is clear evidence people are going into these survivors' places — even if they're evacuated and it's not all rubble — and people are going in and they're looting," Biden remarked.
White House reporter Adam Cancryn contributed to this article.
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
During a White House briefing conducted over video from Los Angeles, the Governor expressed concerns that fire crews and first responders are grappling with falsehoods spreading online regarding the wildfires, which have claimed at least 10 lives and destroyed over 10,000 homes and structures.
“People want to divide this country,” Newsom remarked while addressing Biden. “It breaks my heart as people are suffering and struggling that we’re up against those hurricane forces as well.”
Newsom, alongside Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, has been the target of significant criticism regarding their handling of the fires that erupted on Tuesday, fueled by a powerful windstorm that produced nearly 100-mph gusts in the drought-affected region.
Much of the backlash has come from Republican leaders, including President-elect Donald Trump, who on Thursday demanded via Truth Social that Newsom “open up the water main” in Northern California to facilitate water flow to the south as fire hydrants are running dry. However, such a central water valve does not exist in the state.
On Friday, Newsom refrained from identifying specific false claims. Nonetheless, social media has been inundated with altered images — including fake illustrations of flames engulfing the Hollywood Sign — alongside a plethora of inaccurate information regarding firefighting efforts and the state's water supply.
From the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, with Vice President Kamala Harris in attendance, Biden assured Newsom and Bass that disaster relief funding and other forms of support would be expedited.
“This is not going to be over even when the fires are out,” Biden noted. "We're going to be around."
Biden also aimed a critique at Trump, who had previously suggested during his administration that “raking” California's forests could help mitigate wildfires. While the causes behind the Los Angeles fires remain undetermined, Biden pointed out that many fires are typically linked to high-voltage transmission lines and emphasized the need for increased federal funding to bury power infrastructure.
"The idea is, if we have these wires underground, which is a hell of a lot safer, we wouldn't have as many fires as we have now," he stated.
Additionally, both Biden and Newsom discussed reports of looting in evacuation zones across Los Angeles, where 150,000 residents have been ordered to leave their homes. Newsom revealed that the state has dispatched 855 National Guard troops to patrol disaster-affected areas, while Biden indicated that his administration would augment that policing presence, though specifics weren't provided.
"There is clear evidence people are going into these survivors' places — even if they're evacuated and it's not all rubble — and people are going in and they're looting," Biden remarked.
White House reporter Adam Cancryn contributed to this article.
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
