Governor Gavin Newsom, in a recent interview on the “Pod Save America” podcast, responded to growing criticism about his handling of the ongoing wildfires in California, including the anger expressed by Los Angeles residents. Newsom appeared to deflect responsibility, explaining that his inability to get clear answers from local leaders and his own team had complicated his response to the crisis.
In the interview, Newsom admitted struggling to receive “straight answers” about the wildfire response. He told co-host Jon Favreau, “I’ve got that question, I can’t tell you, by how many people, ‘What happened?’… I wasn’t getting straight answers.” Newsom pointed out that local leaders were not providing him with a clear understanding of the situation, which hindered his ability to act effectively.
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Favreau, citing a friend who had lost his home in the Palisades, asked Newsom how he would respond to criticism from residents who believe the governor is trying to shift the blame for the crisis. Newsom acknowledged that the frustration was palpable, admitting that his communications with local leaders yielded inconsistent information, with varying explanations from those at the local level.
“Their answers were all over the place,” Newsom said. “When you start getting different answers, then I’m not getting the actual story.”
Despite this, Newsom attempted to show understanding for the challenges faced by local leaders, noting that he had extended “a little bit of grace” because they were dealing with an “emergency environment” that required quick decisions. He also acknowledged that public patience had run thin as the fire crisis dragged on, exacerbating tensions.
When asked about President-elect Donald Trump’s remarks criticizing his handling of the situation, Newsom defended himself, calling Trump’s statements about water shortages and fire response misleading. Trump had suggested that Newsom mishandled the wildfire response and blamed the governor for not allowing enough water to fight the fires. Newsom’s office responded, clarifying that the water pressure issues were due to high demand and ongoing fire conditions, not a shortage.
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During the interview, Newsom lambasted Trump for spreading misinformation, calling his claims about the fire response “delusional” and “damaging.” He criticized the president’s approach to the crisis, saying Trump’s tendency to spread falsehoods had deeply harmed the situation.
Trump’s transition team spokesperson, Steven Cheung, shot back, saying, “Instead of appearing on liberal podcasts, maybe Newsom should be doing his job and actually helping people who continue to suffer under his terrible leadership.”
The debate over California’s wildfire response continues as the state grapples with devastating fires and growing concerns about leadership and communication during this ongoing crisis.
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