Staff Reports
California Governor Gavin Newsom seems to have perfected the art of asking for money just after doling it out for political posturing. Recently, he put on his best sad face and sent a letter to Congress with his hand out, requesting a whopping $40 billion in federal funds for wildfire relief. This all comes two weeks after he signed off on a hefty $50 million aimed at opposing the Trump administration—not exactly a great case of prioritizing needs.
Newsom’s requests come even as the embers are still flickering from the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire in Los Angeles, which begs the question: Is fighting Trump more important than actually combating wildfires? The Governor called a special legislative session post-election to firm up funding arrangements for this anti-Trump crusade, all while California’s forests—and its residents—were burning. Talk about a twisted sense of priorities.
Among the delightful bills passed during this special session, there are $25 million earmarked for legal assistance to illegal aliens, and another $25 million to challenge Trump-era policies in court. Meanwhile, President Biden had already thrown California a six-month lifeline before he packed his bags to leave office. Yet here is Newsom, apparently thinking he can pull a fast one and keep coming back to Uncle Sam without offering any real solutions or commitments in return.
In a lengthy, publicly available 14-page love letter to Congress, Newsom claims that Los Angeles will spend the requested money wisely. However, there was a glaring absence of any proposals to actually improve forest management or emergency services. Apparently, Newsom’s strategy is about as clear as California’s skies after a wildfire—no commitment to change and just a lot of finger-pointing.
The Balls these @CA_Dem and @GavinNewsom have who are now trying to squeeze $40 Billion from we the taxpayers. To pay for their screw up out there! This is the same asshole that signed a @POTUS proof Bill. Now is asking Pres Trump for a handout too🤣🤡https://t.co/KqobR4EYyM
— Joe Patriot (@JoePatriot7) February 23, 2025
Ambassador Rick Grenell likely hit the nail on the head when he suggested that any federal aid may come with “strings attached.” Newsom, however, seems to want to avoid any strings like they’re hot coals, presenting a “give us the money and don’t ask for accountability” sort of deal. It’s a head-scratcher, especially since many would argue that a little oversight wouldn’t be the worst thing for a state with a penchant for mismanaged resources.
Some have suggested appointing a special master to oversee any federal funds—an idea reminiscent of the oversight that was put in place following the September 11th attacks. It seems like a sensible measure, given California’s track record in steering federal funds, but expecting Newsom to embrace oversight is probably just as unrealistic as expecting him to actually keep his state forests healthy.
