Staff Reports
Governor Gavin Newsom secured state funding for wildfire recovery but wasted time attacking President Trump instead of fully focusing on rebuilding California. His political fights distracted from serving hardworking Californians who lost everything in the fires.
While Newsom signed a $2.5 billion emergency bill for Southern California wildfire recovery in February, he quickly shifted to partisan battles. That same month, he prioritized slamming Trump’s healthcare policies at press conferences instead of tackling housing shortages for displaced families.
By June, Newsom was still picking fights with the White House. He called Trump’s healthcare plan “Big Ugly” while thousands remained homeless. Families needed action, not political theater from their governor.
Newsom demanded more federal wildfire funds while sitting on state resources. He announced $135 million for new fire projects but failed to speed up rebuilding where fires hit hardest. Bureaucratic delays left communities waiting for real help.
The governor even attacked Trump for deploying National Guard troops to protect federal buildings in Los Angeles. Newsom called it a waste, yet offered no plan to redirect those troops toward clearing fire debris or building shelters.
In July, Newsom finally released $101 million for affordable housing. But that came six months after the fires. His slow response forced families into overcrowded rentals and motels. They needed leadership, not late half-measures.
Meanwhile, Newsom’s team bragged about “unprecedented investments” in fire prevention. But they ignored the urgent rebuilding needs right before their eyes. Talk doesn’t rebuild homes or replace lost livelihoods.
Californians deserve leaders who put people before politics. Newsom chose to fight Trump instead of fighting for fire survivors. Real leadership means solving problems, not creating distractions.
