Gov. Gavin Newsom and his administration are taking additional precautions to protect California in the event of former President Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
Governor Newsom and his team of budget officials are currently exploring the possibility of creating a dedicated account that would allow the state to quickly access funds in the event that President Trump denies federal assistance for disasters such as fires, floods, and other emergencies.
Governor Newsom stated that he does not have a specific amount in mind for the scenario that his administration is currently discussing in preparation for his January state budget proposal. However, he emphasized that this consideration should not be taken lightly.
In an exclusive interview with POLITICO, the Democratic governor expressed concern about the potential impact of multiple disasters occurring simultaneously, similar to the two storms that recently occurred. He emphasized that even a large state like California, with significant budget reserves, could face serious cash flow issues in such situations.
“These wildfires result in staggering costs of billions of dollars,” he emphasized, “and that’s just for clearing the debris, not to mention the subsequent recovery efforts.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom has unveiled his budget plans in direct response to President Trump’s previous warnings and threats to withhold federal emergency disaster relief for political reasons.
Newsom’s actions come after a report by POLITICO’s E&E News revealed Trump’s partisan approach to disaster response, as he hesitated to provide aid to areas he viewed as politically hostile.
Meanwhile, Governor Newsom emphasized the necessity of his potential budget actions in order to protect the state from any unpredictable decisions made by President Trump. He likened the funds to a line of credit, serving as a safeguard for California.
“We have incorporated various scenario plans into the budget to address a range of potential challenges,” Newsom explained. “One of these plans involves creating a flexible account to manage cash flow effectively.”
California officials are actively revising their contingency plan, which has served as a stronghold against Trumpism throughout his presidency. Since March, POLITICO has observed California’s ongoing efforts to “Trump-proof” their policies, particularly in relation to electric vehicle programs.
Recently, it was reported that government leaders in the state are rigorously evaluating their climate laws, seeking partnerships with industries to avoid legal challenges, and appealing to the Biden administration for early permission to enforce clean air regulations.
Governor Newsom expressed deep concern about President Trump’s threats, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. “This is a serious matter,” Newsom stated, emphasizing that Trump’s intentions are genuine.
Governor Newsom discussed previous clashes with Trump over federal funding for state emergencies during a separate interview with MSNBC’s Jen Psaki, which aired on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Trump has once again made explicit threats, stating that he would withhold funding for California, citing water policy as one of the reasons.
During a news conference in Southern California last month, Trump confidently stated that Gavin Newsom would sign the papers. Trump was referring to a 2020 federal decision that aimed to enhance water deliveries by relaxing endangered species regulations. Newsom had filed a lawsuit against this decision.
Trump further emphasized that if Newsom refused to sign the papers, his state would not receive financial aid for firefighting efforts, which would ultimately lead to significant problems for Newsom.
The Trump campaign has not yet provided a response to the request for comment.
During the interview with POLITICO, Newsom characterized Trump’s demands as illogical and driven by personal grudges rather than a genuine policy disagreement. According to Newsom, Trump had even encouraged him in the past to violate federal environmental regulations.
Newsom confidently asserts that the events he is describing are not metaphorical, but rather a literal account of what occurred during his time as governor and Trump’s presidency.
He emphasizes that he has firsthand knowledge of these incidents, as they directly impacted him and his state. Specifically, he recalls instances when Trump would make false claims about the need to “rake the forest” and would communicate through tweets, leaving Newsom to personally reach out to him for assistance.
Despite contacting FEMA, Newsom reveals that the agency was unresponsive, leading him to seek direct intervention from the White House. In order to resolve the situation, Newsom humbly admits that he had to approach Trump directly, even going so far as to metaphorically portray himself as being on bended knees.
In 2020, he remembered having conversations during the latter part of Trump’s term.
Officials used a powerful tactic to sway President Trump’s decisions. They showcased the significant number of Trump supporters in heavily damaged Orange County, California, which exceeded the entire state of Iowa. This information aimed to influence his choices, as highlighted in POLITICO’s E&E News report.
Not only was politically purple Orange County at risk, but also the predominantly rural and red areas of Northern California, including Paradise. The devastating Camp Fire of 2018 left a lasting impact on this region. According to Newsom, “He would go as far as hurting his own supporters just to harm California.”
According to Newsom, President Trump attempted to utilize other members of his administration to use disaster relief as a bargaining chip. However, Trump officials secretly communicated with Newsom regarding his continuous recommendations for California to find ways to clear its forests to prevent wildfires.
Newsom filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration’s rules in February 2020. The former president claimed that these rules would increase the water supply for Central Valley farmers. The proposed flexible pumping rules would allow managers of the extensive network of canals, reservoirs, and pumping plants to extract more water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
The Biden administration is in the process of revising the regulations and intends to unveil its revised version by the end of the year, prior to a potential Trump presidency in 2025.
Newsom’s administration has stated its intention to pursue a distinct state permit, which would enable it to operate the state’s portion of the pumps under more rigorous endangered species regulations, irrespective of the outcome of the November elections.
