Trump claims military entered California to release water flow, but state says that did not happen
President Donald Trump made a bold claim on Monday night, stating that the military had entered California and “turned on the water.” However, state water officials quickly refuted this assertion, labeling it as false.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “The United States Military just entered the Great State of California and, under Emergency Powers, TURNED ON the water flowing abundantly from the Pacific Northwest, and beyond.” He added, “The days of putting a Fake Environmental argument, over the PEOPLE, are OVER. Enjoy the water, California!!!”
The California Department of Water Resources was swift to respond, clarifying that the military had not entered the state and that there is an ample supply of water resources available. They stated, “The military did not enter California. The federal government restarted federal water pumps after they were offline for maintenance for three days. State water supplies in Southern California remain plentiful.”
State Senate Pro Tem Mike McGuire, a Democrat, also pushed back against Trump’s claim, emphasizing that water from the Pacific Northwest does not flow to the Central Valley and that federal water pumps were merely offline for repairs.
This controversy comes on the heels of Trump issuing an executive order directing federal agencies to explore ways to deliver more water to Southern California and the Central Valley in response to recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area.
During a visit to North Carolina, Trump outlined two conditions that he believes must be met in California before the federal government provides disaster relief. He called for the approval of voter identification legislation and an increase in water deliveries from Northern California to drier regions in the south.
Trump’s visit to Los Angeles to survey wildfire damage and meet with local officials and residents further fueled the debate surrounding federal aid for wildfires. Republicans in Congress have floated the idea of linking wildfire assistance to a debt ceiling increase or changes in California’s fire-mitigation policies.
As the discussion continues, it is crucial to separate fact from fiction and prioritize the well-being of California residents in the ongoing battle against wildfires.
