Gavin Newsom Embroiled In Scandal For Stunning Move Before Tragic Wildfires
California Governor Gavin Newsom finds himself at the center of growing criticism over his handling of wildfire prevention and response as devastating fires continue to wreak havoc in Los Angeles. A recently surfaced report exposed a controversial budget decision by the governor’s office, which slashed over $100 million from wildfire prevention programs, including a $5 million reduction to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s vegetation management initiatives. Some say the cuts have undermined the state’s capacity to effectively mitigate wildfire risks, compounding the challenges posed by California’s worsening fire seasons.
Newsom has also faced backlash for channeling wildfire relief donations through his super PAC, using the Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue. This method prioritizes gathering donor data for future political campaigns rather than directly aiding victims. The governor, however, insists that the funds are earmarked for the California Fire Foundation and other organizations dedicated to supporting affected communities.
An analysis of California’s 2024-2025 Budget Bill by the state’s Legislative Analyst’s Office found that funding for seven wildfire and forest resilience programs was reduced by a total of $101 million. Key cuts included a $5 million reduction to CAL FIRE’s fuel reduction teams, which fund vegetation management work, including efforts by the California National Guard. This adjustment lowered the total allocation for this program to $129 million. Additionally, $4 million was removed from a forest legacy initiative aimed at promoting sustainable land management practices among property owners.
Other reductions targeted funds provided to state conservancies, with $28 million cut from wildfire resilience programs. Monitoring and research efforts, primarily supported by CAL FIRE and California universities, lost $8 million. Funding for an interagency forest data hub was reduced by $3 million, while a home-hardening pilot program, intended to make houses more resistant to wildfires, saw its budget slashed by $12 million, Newsweek reported. “The fires are still raging in L.A. The incompetent pols have no idea how to put them out,” President-elect Donald Trump wrote Sunday. “Thousands of magnificent houses are gone, and many more will soon be lost. There is death all over the place. This is one of the worst catastrophes in the history of our Country. They just can’t put out the fires. What’s wrong with them?”
Izzy Gardon, the communications director for Newsom, told Newsweek, “There is no such document as the water restoration declaration, that is pure fiction. The governor is focused on protecting people, not playing politics, and making sure firefighters have all the resources they need.” Another spokesperson for Newsom also said to Newsweek that the CAL FIRE budget increased from $2 billion in 2018-19 to $3.8 billion in 2024-25. Additionally, the number of department personnel rose from 5,829 to 10,741 during the same period.
A lot of misinformation out there.
Just launched a new site to ensure the public has access to fact-based data around the Southern CA wildfires.
The TRUTH:
– CA did NOT cut our firefighting budget. We have nearly doubled the size of our firefighting army and built the world’s…— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) January 11, 2025
“A lot of misinformation out there,” Newsom tweeted over the weekend. “Just launched a new site to ensure the public has access to fact-based data around the Southern CA wildfires.” The controversy comes at a pivotal moment for Newsom, whose name has been floated in national political circles as the next potential presidential contender. As Californians grapple with the devastation of the wildfires—including mass evacuations, widespread property destruction, and tragic loss of life—questions about the state’s preparedness and the governor’s leadership have taken on heightened urgency.
