California’s Governor Gavin Newsom is finally acting on wildfire prevention after President Trump’s repeated criticisms. The Democrat has now suspended environmental regulations that have long hindered wildfire mitigation efforts in the state.
It took him long enough…
At a Glance
- Gov. Newsom has used emergency powers to suspend strict environmental regulations for wildfire prevention
- The decision comes after President Trump repeatedly criticized California’s wildfire policies
- Newsom suspended the California Environmental Quality Act and Coastal Act to speed up brush clearing
- The Governor is seeking nearly $40 billion in federal disaster aid from Congress
- Republican leaders want conditions placed on aid to ensure better prevention measures
Newsom Follows Trump’s Lead on Forest Management
California Governor Gavin Newsom has finally taken action to speed up wildfire prevention efforts after facing significant criticism from President Donald Trump over the state’s environmental policies.
Newsom issued emergency orders this week that roll back restrictive environmental regulations that have hampered effective forest management for years.
“This year has already seen some of the most destructive wildfires in California history, and we’re only in March. We’re taking action with a state of emergency to fast-track critical wildfire projects even more,” Gavin Newsom said.
The Democratic Governor suspended enforcement of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the California Coastal Act, two regulations that Republicans have long argued create unnecessary hurdles to proper forest management. The suspension will allow for faster clearing of flammable brush and vegetation that has contributed to California’s increasingly devastating wildfires.
So…he’s admitting Trump was right?
Newsom’s emergency action enables officials to quickly implement wildfire prevention measures including building fire breaks, removing dangerous vegetation, and conducting controlled burns – all strategies that Trump has advocated for during his presidency.
Trump Calls for Newsom’s Resignation: Why 2025 Wildfires Could Be the Last Straw
With the 2025 wildfires wreaking havoc across California, former President Donald Trump has called for Governor Gavin Newsom to step down, blaming him for mishandling the crisis.
As the fires rage… pic.twitter.com/iccjM4JCuT
— Suetonius the Younger (@SuetoniusMinor) January 9, 2025
Trump’s Criticism Drives Action
President Trump has repeatedly blamed California’s Democratic leadership for the state’s wildfire crisis, pointing to poor forest management and excessive environmental regulations. Trump has argued that California’s policies preventing proper brush clearing and timber management have created perfect conditions for catastrophic fires.
The Governor’s office noted that this isn’t the first time Newsom has taken such action. He issued a similar emergency order in 2019 following the deadly Camp Fire disaster. Critics point out that these temporary measures highlight the underlying problem of California’s strict environmental regulations that prevent proper forest management during non-emergency periods.
While taking action on prevention, Newsom is simultaneously seeking nearly $40 billion in federal disaster aid from Congress. Republican leadership, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, has signaled that any financial assistance should come with conditions ensuring California implements better wildfire prevention strategies moving forward.
