President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday reignited criticism of Democratic leaders in California, calling them “incompetent” and accusing them of failing to adequately manage the Southern California wildfires. Trump described the disaster as “one of the worst catastrophes in the history of our Country” in a post on Truth Social, setting the stage for potential clashes with liberal leaders ahead of his inauguration next week.
The remarks were part of a series of pointed attacks from Trump and his allies, including billionaire Elon Musk, targeting California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Both Democrats are already under scrutiny from their constituents and colleagues, including some within their own party, over the handling of the crisis.
Trump’s criticisms, which at times relied on misleading claims or incorrect reports, have drawn comparisons to the contentious interactions between his administration and Democratic leaders during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Back then, political tensions were often tempered by liberal leaders’ fears of alienating the White House and jeopardizing federal support.
For Governor Newsom, this latest crisis presents a significant challenge. Known for his clashes with Trump during the former president’s time in office, Newsom now faces a disaster of unprecedented scale in Los Angeles and its surrounding areas. As he deals with the devastation, Newsom has voiced frustration with Trump’s rhetoric, while also extending an invitation for the president-elect to witness the destruction firsthand.
“Come and meet with the Americans affected by these fires, see the devastation firsthand, and join me and others in thanking the heroic firefighters and first responders who are putting their lives on the line,” Newsom said, adopting a conciliatory tone.
However, in a recent interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, Newsom was more candid in his criticism of Trump’s commentary, which he deemed unhelpful amid the ongoing crisis.
“People are literally fleeing. People have lost their lives. Kids lost their schools. Families completely torn asunder, churches burned down,” Newsom said, visibly exasperated. “This guy wanted to politicize it.”
After pausing, he added, “I have a lot of thoughts, and I know what I want to say.
“I won’t.”
