California officials have pushed back against a recent claim by former President Donald Trump, who said that the U.S. military entered the state and “turned on the water” after devastating wildfires ravaged parts of Southern California. Trump made the statement on Truth Social, his social media platform, sparking controversy and fact-checking efforts.
“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,” Trump wrote in his post. He further criticized environmental policies, calling them “fake” and blaming them for California’s water challenges.
The Official Response
The California Department of Water Resources (CDWR) quickly denied Trump’s claims. In a post shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the department clarified, “The military did not enter California. The federal government restarted federal water pumps after they were offline for maintenance for three days.”
They also reassured residents, stating, “State water supplies in Southern California remain plentiful.”
State Senate Pro Tem Mike McGuire also dismissed Trump’s statement with pointed remarks. “First off, shocker, water from the Pacific Northwest doesn’t flow to the Central Valley,” McGuire wrote on X. “Second, federal water pumps were down for repair and are now back on. Third, rest assured, the military has not invaded the delta. Facts are hard.”
Wildfire Crisis and Water Concerns
The controversy comes as California grapples with wildfires that have burned over 57,000 acres and claimed the lives of at least 28 people. Trump’s comments followed his criticism of California’s water policies, which he linked to the challenges firefighters faced during the crisis.
According to Trump, dry hydrants, empty reservoirs, and outdated water infrastructure hindered firefighting efforts. His directive to federal agencies aimed to override existing regulations that he argued were restricting water deliveries to the state.
“Firefighters were unable to fight the blaze due to dry hydrants, empty reservoirs, and inadequate water infrastructure,” Trump’s order read. “It is in the Nation’s interest to ensure that California has what it needs to prevent and fight these fires and others in the future.”
Political Back-and-Forth
The issue has also become a flashpoint between Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom. While Newsom welcomed Trump to Los Angeles last week to survey wildfire damage, their discussions about water policies have been marked by disagreements.
Trump claimed he would condition federal aid to California on increased water access from the northern part of the state and the implementation of voter ID laws. These comments added to the tension between state and federal leaders during a critical recovery period.
The Reality of California’s Water System
Experts have pointed out that water from the Pacific Northwest does not flow directly to California’s Central Valley, as Trump suggested. Instead, the state’s water infrastructure relies on a network of reservoirs, aqueducts, and pumping systems to manage water distribution.
The federal water pumps in question were offline for routine maintenance and were restored without any military involvement. Officials emphasized that California’s water supply remains stable despite the challenges posed by the wildfires.
The Bigger Picture
The debate over water policies in California highlights the ongoing challenges of managing natural resources in the face of climate change, population growth, and political disagreements. While Trump’s claims sparked controversy, they also underscored the critical need for infrastructure improvements and collaboration between state and federal governments.
As California continues its recovery efforts, officials remain focused on ensuring that residents have access to adequate water supplies while addressing the environmental and logistical challenges that come with managing the state’s vast water network.
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