Why Is Trump Attacking Gavin Newsom Over Delta Smelt Fish?
President-elect
Donald Trump has launched a sharp critique of California Governor
Gavin Newsom, blaming him for the state's devastating fires and accusing him of prioritizing environmental policies, including protections for the endangered delta smelt fish, over the needs of Californians.
On his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump claimed Newsom's refusal to sign a "water restoration declaration" caused inadequate water supplies for firefighting efforts, labeling the situation "a true disaster."
In response, Newsom's office denied the existence of such a declaration, emphasizing that the governor is focused on fighting the fires and providing resources to affected communities.
Why This Matters
Trump's criticism has reignited the longstanding debate over
California's water policies, highlighting tensions between environmental
conservation and resource management.
At the heart of the conflict is the state's effort to balance water usage for agriculture, urban needs and ecological preservation.
The delta smelt, a small
fish endemic to California, has become a symbol of this ongoing struggle.
What is the Delta Smelt Fish?
The delta smelt is a small, slender-bodied fish native to California's San Francisco Estuary. Listed as endangered under state and federal laws, it is considered an indicator species for the health of the estuary ecosystem.
The species has faced dramatic population declines due to habitat changes, reduced freshwater outflows and other environmental pressures.
Efforts to protect the delta smelt involve limiting water diversion from the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta using changes to dam releases to ensure sufficient flows for its survival. These protections have sparked years of litigation and political battles over water allocation in California.
Why is Trump Criticizing Gavin Newsom?
Trump's recent attacks stem from his belief that Newsom's environmental priorities, particularly the protection of the delta smelt, have contributed to water shortages that allegedly hampered firefighting efforts in Los Angeles.
However, state officials dispute this claim. Most water used in Los Angeles does not come from Northern California but rather from local aqueducts and groundwater. Moreover, the fires' severity was compounded by high winds and smoke, not water shortages.
Trump's criticism also appears rooted in broader political and ideological differences. During his presidency, Trump pushed for policies favoring Central Valley farmers, often at the expense of ecological protections. Newsom, by contrast, has supported policies aiming to balance water use with environmental conservation.
What People Are Saying
In his post on Truth Social, Trump said: "Governor Gavin Newscum [sic] refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snow melt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way.
"He wanted to protect an essentially worthless fish called a smelt, by giving it less water (it didn't work!), but didn't care about the people of California."
"Now the ultimate price is being paid. I will demand that this incompetent governor allow beautiful, clean, fresh water to FLOW INTO CALIFORNIA! He is the blame for this. On top of it all, no water for fire hydrants, not firefighting planes. A true disaster!"
Governor Newsom's Press Office hit back on X (formerly Twitter): "There is no such document as the water restoration declaration—that is pure fiction. The Governor is focused on protecting people, not playing politics, and making sure firefighters have all the resources they need."
How Long has Newsom Been Governor of California?
Gavin Newsom has served as California's governor since 2019. Before becoming governor, he was the mayor of San Francisco and later served as the state's lieutenant governor.
What Happens Next
Strong winds are expected to continue into Thursday, after which conditions will ease, which could aid firefighting efforts in California.
Meanwhile, Trump is set to enter office on January 20.
