Early on Sunday, President-elect Donald J. Trump criticized the officials responsible for battling the flames in Los Angeles once again, calling them “incompetent” and questioning why the fires had not yet been put out.
On Truth Social, he called politicians “incompetent.” adding: “They just can’t put out the fires. What’s wrong with them?”
According to Mr. Trump’s remarks, when he assumes office on January 20, the fires and the way officials respond to them will probably be high on his domestic political agenda. He has reignited a long-running conflict with Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, who has accused Mr. Trump of politicizing the fires.
Since they started on Tuesday, the flames have drawn criticism from California legislators, who have questioned how state and local authorities prepared for them and how they have rapidly spread into massive blazes.
Firefighters have been fighting the fire for days despite strong gusts. This weekend, additional evacuations were necessary due to a flare-up of the Palisades fire.
Trump has attacked amid the firestorm on previous occasions.
Trump said that Governor Gavin Newsom “refused to sign a water restoration declaration” a few days ago, which would have permitted millions of gallons of rain and snowmelt to enter the burning regions from the south.
On Friday, Newsom invited the next president to California to meet with victims of the fire, observe the destruction in Los Angeles County, and join him in expressing gratitude to first responders. He said that Trump didn’t reply on Saturday.
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