Trump Criticizes California Officials’ Response to Devastating Los Angeles Wildfires

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has taken to his Truth Social platform to criticize California officials response to the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. Trump called state officials “incompetent,” claiming they lack the ability to control the blazes, which he described as “one of the worst catastrophes in the history of our country.”

“The fires are still raging in L.A. The incompetent politicians have no idea how to put them out,” Trump wrote. “This is a disaster. Thousands of magnificent houses are gone, and many more will soon be lost. There is death all over the place.”

The scale and speed of the wildfires have overwhelmed Los Angeles’ firefighting infrastructure, raising questions about the state’s readiness to combat such emergencies.

The Pacific Palisades neighborhood, one of five major areas hit by fires, suffered from dry hydrants, severely hampering firefighting efforts. Elsewhere, water shortages compounded the challenges faced by first responders.

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Despite the tireless efforts of firefighters—both on the ground and in the air—the Palisades Fire has continued to spread, threatening priceless collections at the Getty Center art museum and advancing toward the densely populated San Fernando Valley.

California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, has come under fire from Trump, who has accused him of mismanaging the crisis. Trump’s criticism comes just over a week before he is set to return to the White House, adding fuel to an already contentious relationship between the two leaders.

Newsom, in response, extended an invitation to Trump to visit Los Angeles and see the devastation firsthand. “We are focused on saving lives and protecting communities. It’s time for leadership, not divisiveness,” Newsom said in a statement.

The wildfires have already claimed at least 16 lives, displaced over 150,000 residents, and destroyed more than 12,000 structures, according to state officials. Entire neighborhoods have been reduced to ash, with thousands of families left homeless.

Amid the devastation, stories of heroism have emerged. Firefighters have worked around the clock, employing precision aerial drops and risking their lives to save homes, lives, and cultural treasures. However, the relentless nature of the fires and limited resources have made their job increasingly difficult.