Understanding Trump’s Critiques of the Los Angeles Fires
As the fires in Los Angeles rage on, Donald Trump is wielding one of his commonly used political weapons against Governor Gavin Newsom.
TroibNews 
As historic fires devastate the Los Angeles area, President-elect Donald Trump is urging Governor Gavin Newsom to “open up the water main” and allow “beautiful, clean, freshwater to FLOW INTO CALIFORNIA!”
At first glance, Trump's demand seems reasonable. Given that Northern California is currently experiencing above-average winter precipitation, why wouldn’t the state leader redirect water south to help combat the flames as fire hydrants run dry?
However, there isn’t a simple mechanism in place for Newsom to just turn a central spigot in the Sierra foothills. Furthermore, firefighters faced more challenges from the fierce Santa Ana winds than from the limited water access caused by dry hydrants.
For a clearer understanding, our resident California water expert can provide insight into the state’s intricate water system and a brief account of Trump's longstanding fixation on the topic.
What’s up with the ‘water restoration declaration?’ On Wednesday, Trump wrote on Truth Social: “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 snow melt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way.”
In response, Newsom’s communications director stated, “There is no such document as the water restoration declaration — that is pure fiction.”
Is it? Not exactly. Trump was referencing a real document, albeit using an unfamiliar name that left even seasoned California water officials perplexed. Karoline Leavitt, Trump's press secretary, explained the confusion by highlighting a legal dispute five years ago between Newsom and Trump regarding the management of the state’s and federal systems of pumps, reservoirs, and canals that transport water throughout California.
Essentially, the two have clashed over how much water should be pumped from the state’s main rivers, which converge in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, to the drier farms of the Central Valley and the cities of Southern California, and how much should remain in the ecosystem to protect declining fish populations, including the Delta smelt, a frequent target for Trump. While their differing plans for the pumps result in only minor variations in actual water deliveries, they have taken on considerable political significance.
The feud hit a peak in 2020 when Trump announced a “record of decision” that solidified his proposed regulations at a rally in the Central Valley, only to face a lawsuit from Newsom who cited environmental harm.
“That was the last significant water policy decision made during his first term in which both President Trump and Gov. Newsom took a personal interest,” noted Tom Birmingham, the former general manager of the Westlands Water District, the largest agricultural irrigation district in the nation that sided with Trump in that conflict.
Is there a water main in Northern California? No. As Trump suggested, Newsom would find it difficult to “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.”
Nevertheless, cities in Southern California rely on snowmelt from the Sierra Nevada mountains, where the renowned Yosemite National Park is located, and Delta pumps for approximately 30% of their water supply. An additional 20% is derived from the Colorado River, while local sources, such as groundwater and recycling, contribute the remaining 50%.
Significant amounts of water in California do flow into the Pacific Ocean, as much of it is allocated for environmental purposes. This ensures rivers maintain freshness to provide drinking water for cities and support endangered fish populations. According to the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California, statewide water usage is distributed roughly as follows: 10% for communities, 40% for agriculture, and 50% for environmental needs.
What’s the origin story of Trump’s obsession with California water? This isn’t the first occasion on which Trump has used water as leverage against Newsom. He has previously threatened to withhold disaster aid unless Newsom complied with his stance on water, claiming at a campaign event in Southern California last year that if the governor “doesn’t sign those papers, we won’t give him money to put out all his fires.”
Trump's interest in California's water issues likely traces back to a 2016 tour of the Central Valley—rich in agriculture—with former Republican Rep. Devin Nunes, one of Trump’s earliest supporters.
According to Johnny Amaral, chief operating officer of the Friant Water Authority, which serves Central Valley farmers and once worked as Nunes’ chief of staff, “The California water issue has a very special place in his heart, in his head.” Amaral added, “He talks frequently about the visit he made to the Central Valley in 2016 before the election where Devin was taking him around and showing him farmland. It warms our heart a little bit that he still talks about a 30-minute or hour drive around the east side.”
Nunes aimed to demonstrate to Trump that farmers in the Central Valley, a typically conservative region, require more water from state and federal pumps up north. Nunes’ argument appears to have resonated with Trump.
But how’s this related to the LA fires? It isn’t directly connected. Much of Southern California is currently experiencing drought conditions due to a dry start to the winter, according to federal data. However, it is not significantly lacking in imported water from Northern California, which has experienced relatively average precipitation thus far. Reservoir levels statewide, including those in Southern California's largest reservoir, Diamond Valley Lake, are currently at or above historic levels.
The reason LA's fire hydrants ran dry on Tuesday night was due to “tremendous demand,” noted Janisse Quiñones, chief executive and chief engineer of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. As a result, water pressure decreased when supplies at the city’s three million-gallon water tanks supplying Pacific Palisades were depleted by 3 a.m., after firefighters had commenced battling the blaze the previous night. Backup water had to be transported to the area.
How are Democratic leaders responding? During a White House briefing on Thursday, President Joe Biden offered an explanation for the dry hydrants. He stated that power had been cut to local water pumps to prevent utility lines from exacerbating fires. Biden mentioned that fire officials are now bringing in generators for the pumps.
On CNN Wednesday night, Newsom accused Trump of politicizing the situation and attempting to divide the nation amid the tragic fires. Additionally, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass attributed the water shortages to the unprecedented scale of the disaster, which is expected to be the costliest in U.S. history.
Debra Kahn and Julia Marsh contributed to this report.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
At first glance, Trump's demand seems reasonable. Given that Northern California is currently experiencing above-average winter precipitation, why wouldn’t the state leader redirect water south to help combat the flames as fire hydrants run dry?
However, there isn’t a simple mechanism in place for Newsom to just turn a central spigot in the Sierra foothills. Furthermore, firefighters faced more challenges from the fierce Santa Ana winds than from the limited water access caused by dry hydrants.
For a clearer understanding, our resident California water expert can provide insight into the state’s intricate water system and a brief account of Trump's longstanding fixation on the topic.
What’s up with the ‘water restoration declaration?’ On Wednesday, Trump wrote on Truth Social: “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 snow melt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way.”
In response, Newsom’s communications director stated, “There is no such document as the water restoration declaration — that is pure fiction.”
Is it? Not exactly. Trump was referencing a real document, albeit using an unfamiliar name that left even seasoned California water officials perplexed. Karoline Leavitt, Trump's press secretary, explained the confusion by highlighting a legal dispute five years ago between Newsom and Trump regarding the management of the state’s and federal systems of pumps, reservoirs, and canals that transport water throughout California.
Essentially, the two have clashed over how much water should be pumped from the state’s main rivers, which converge in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, to the drier farms of the Central Valley and the cities of Southern California, and how much should remain in the ecosystem to protect declining fish populations, including the Delta smelt, a frequent target for Trump. While their differing plans for the pumps result in only minor variations in actual water deliveries, they have taken on considerable political significance.
The feud hit a peak in 2020 when Trump announced a “record of decision” that solidified his proposed regulations at a rally in the Central Valley, only to face a lawsuit from Newsom who cited environmental harm.
“That was the last significant water policy decision made during his first term in which both President Trump and Gov. Newsom took a personal interest,” noted Tom Birmingham, the former general manager of the Westlands Water District, the largest agricultural irrigation district in the nation that sided with Trump in that conflict.
Is there a water main in Northern California? No. As Trump suggested, Newsom would find it difficult to “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.”
Nevertheless, cities in Southern California rely on snowmelt from the Sierra Nevada mountains, where the renowned Yosemite National Park is located, and Delta pumps for approximately 30% of their water supply. An additional 20% is derived from the Colorado River, while local sources, such as groundwater and recycling, contribute the remaining 50%.
Significant amounts of water in California do flow into the Pacific Ocean, as much of it is allocated for environmental purposes. This ensures rivers maintain freshness to provide drinking water for cities and support endangered fish populations. According to the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California, statewide water usage is distributed roughly as follows: 10% for communities, 40% for agriculture, and 50% for environmental needs.
What’s the origin story of Trump’s obsession with California water? This isn’t the first occasion on which Trump has used water as leverage against Newsom. He has previously threatened to withhold disaster aid unless Newsom complied with his stance on water, claiming at a campaign event in Southern California last year that if the governor “doesn’t sign those papers, we won’t give him money to put out all his fires.”
Trump's interest in California's water issues likely traces back to a 2016 tour of the Central Valley—rich in agriculture—with former Republican Rep. Devin Nunes, one of Trump’s earliest supporters.
According to Johnny Amaral, chief operating officer of the Friant Water Authority, which serves Central Valley farmers and once worked as Nunes’ chief of staff, “The California water issue has a very special place in his heart, in his head.” Amaral added, “He talks frequently about the visit he made to the Central Valley in 2016 before the election where Devin was taking him around and showing him farmland. It warms our heart a little bit that he still talks about a 30-minute or hour drive around the east side.”
Nunes aimed to demonstrate to Trump that farmers in the Central Valley, a typically conservative region, require more water from state and federal pumps up north. Nunes’ argument appears to have resonated with Trump.
But how’s this related to the LA fires? It isn’t directly connected. Much of Southern California is currently experiencing drought conditions due to a dry start to the winter, according to federal data. However, it is not significantly lacking in imported water from Northern California, which has experienced relatively average precipitation thus far. Reservoir levels statewide, including those in Southern California's largest reservoir, Diamond Valley Lake, are currently at or above historic levels.
The reason LA's fire hydrants ran dry on Tuesday night was due to “tremendous demand,” noted Janisse Quiñones, chief executive and chief engineer of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. As a result, water pressure decreased when supplies at the city’s three million-gallon water tanks supplying Pacific Palisades were depleted by 3 a.m., after firefighters had commenced battling the blaze the previous night. Backup water had to be transported to the area.
How are Democratic leaders responding? During a White House briefing on Thursday, President Joe Biden offered an explanation for the dry hydrants. He stated that power had been cut to local water pumps to prevent utility lines from exacerbating fires. Biden mentioned that fire officials are now bringing in generators for the pumps.
On CNN Wednesday night, Newsom accused Trump of politicizing the situation and attempting to divide the nation amid the tragic fires. Additionally, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass attributed the water shortages to the unprecedented scale of the disaster, which is expected to be the costliest in U.S. history.
Debra Kahn and Julia Marsh contributed to this report.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
