California Governor Gavin Newsom has pointed the finger at President Donald Trump for the rampant wildfires currently blazing across the state.
In a bold accusation, Newsom claimed that National Guard soldiers, who are crucial in firefighting efforts, have been redirected to quell riots, leaving the state vulnerable to the flames. This assertion comes as Newsom seeks a substantial $40 billion in federal relief funds, which would require President Trump's signature following approval by a Republican-controlled Congress.
According to Breitbart, Newsom's office issued a statement highlighting the strain on firefighting resources due to what they termed as President Trump's "illegal federalization" of California's National Guard troops.
The statement noted, "As multiple fires burn across the state today, a critical firefighting resource is short-staffed due to President Trumps illegal federalization of Californias National Guard troops." The Monte Fire in San Diego, among others, has seen CAL FIRE crews stepping in to cover for the understaffed California National Guard's Joint Task Force Rattlesnake, which has seen more than half of its members diverted to Los Angeles.
The legality of this federalization is under scrutiny, with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals examining the matter. Politico reported that a three-judge panel, including an appointee of President Joe Biden, has expressed skepticism over Newsom's claims, questioning whether President Trump had indeed failed to justify the deployment of 4,000 National Guard troops to protect federal buildings and assist immigration authorities.
Governor Newsom has notably refrained from attributing blame to the rioters who have targeted federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and local law enforcement. Additionally, he has sidestepped addressing his administration's longstanding failure to manage forest brush, a critical factor in wildfire prevention.
Earlier this year, in response to the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, Newsom allocated $50 million to counter future Trump initiatives in court. This decision comes amid California's looming budget deficit, estimated to be between $10 billion and $20 billion.
The onset of these wildfires coincided with President Joe Biden's visit to Los Angeles, during which police resources were diverted from potential evacuation duties, as noted by Breitbart News. Meanwhile, President Trump has expressed hesitancy in granting the requested $40 billion in relief funds to Newsom, citing the governor's antagonistic stance. The New York Times reported Trumps sentiment: "[H]atred is never a good thing in politics."
Joel B. Pollak, Senior Editor-at-Large at Breitbart News, provides further insight into these developments. Pollak, who also hosts Breitbart News Sunday on Sirius XM Patriot, has authored several works on President Trump, including "Trump 2.0: The Most Dramatic First 100 Days in Presidential History" and "The Trumpian Virtues: The Lessons and Legacy of Donald Trumps Presidency."
His analysis underscores the ongoing tension between California's leadership and the Trump administration, as the state grapples with both natural and political fires.
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