California officials have refuted former President Donald Trump’s recent claim that the U.S. military intervened to release water in the state under emergency powers. This back-and-forth between Trump and state authorities has drawn attention to the ongoing debate over California’s water management and wildfire recovery.
Trump made the claim Monday night on Truth Social, stating, “The United States Military just entered the Great State of California and, under Emergency Powers, TURNED ON THE WATER flowing abundantly from the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. The days of putting a Fake Environmental Argument over PEOPLE are over. Enjoy the water, California!!!”
However, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) quickly dismissed the claim, explaining that the military did not step into the state to release water. Instead, the DWR clarified that federal water pumps, which were offline for scheduled maintenance, were restarted. They added that water supplies in Southern California remain sufficient despite the temporary downtime.
This latest exchange underscores the strained relationship between Trump and California officials, particularly over the state’s water policies and wildfire management.
Trump’s Executive Orders Aim to Override State Water Policies
The dispute comes shortly after Trump toured areas in California devastated by wildfires and signed an executive order to boost water deliveries to Southern California. His directive instructs federal agencies, including the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, to deliver more water through the Central Valley Project—a massive system of dams, canals, and pipelines.
In the executive order, a section titled “Overriding Disastrous California Policies” explicitly calls for bypassing state and local water policies that Trump described as harmful. The order also directed federal officials to explore whether conditions could be attached to federal aid for California to enforce compliance.
This isn’t the first time Trump has targeted California’s water management. On his first day in office, Trump signed another executive order requiring federal agencies to divert more water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, which is central to the state’s water system. The goal was to prioritize water deliveries to agriculture and urban areas while reducing environmental protections for the delta smelt, a tiny endangered fish.
Ongoing Tension Between Trump and California Officials
Trump has repeatedly criticized California’s handling of its natural resources. Recently, he pointed to fire hydrants running dry during the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires as an example of mismanagement. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a frequent critic of Trump, has defended the state’s water and environmental policies.
“Maybe the president doesn’t know that there’s not a spigot that can be turned to solve all the water problems that he alleges exist,” Newsom said during a press briefing last week.
Despite their history of public clashes, Newsom met Trump during his visit to Los Angeles last Friday. The two leaders shared a rare moment of cooperation, with Newsom acknowledging the need for federal support in wildfire recovery efforts. Trump responded optimistically, saying, “We’re going to get it done.”
Wildfire Aftermath: California’s Long Road to Recovery
California continues to battle the aftermath of the Palisades and Eaton fires, which ignited on January 7 and have scorched a combined area larger than the city of Miami. The fires destroyed thousands of buildings, displaced residents, and claimed at least 29 lives.
Firefighters have made progress in containing the blazes as weather conditions improved, with reduced winds and much-needed rainfall easing dry conditions. However, the scale of the damage underscores the need for long-term recovery and resource management.
The Broader Picture
Trump’s claim about the military “turning on the water” in California highlights a broader narrative of tension over water resources, environmental policies, and emergency management. While federal executive orders may expedite resource allocation, critics argue that such measures often undermine local and state governance.
California officials have consistently emphasized the importance of long-term planning, including sustainable water use and investments in infrastructure, to mitigate future disasters. The state’s leaders maintain that simplified solutions, like redirecting water without considering environmental impacts, are not viable.
As the state continues its recovery efforts, debates over water policies and federal-state relations remain at the forefront.
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