President Donald Trump suggested withholding federal emergency aid from Los Angeles, California, as devastating wildfires continue to ravage the region, causing widespread destruction and displacing thousands of residents.
In a wide-ranging interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity on Wednesday, January 22, Trump criticized the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) performance and suggested states should handle their own disaster recovery. “FEMA has not done their job for the last four years… I’d rather see the states take care of their own problems,” Trump said.
The Hughes fire, which erupted Wednesday morning in Los Angeles County, has already consumed more than 9,000 acres. The disaster has resulted in 16 deaths, forced 150,000 people from their homes, and destroyed over 12,000 structures. Insurance estimates indicate at least $28 billion in insured damage, with additional uninsured losses still being calculated.
Trump claimed federal aid should be withheld until California allows water to flow from northern regions to help fight the blazes. “I don’t think we should give California anything until they let water flow down,” Trump stated during the interview. He specifically referenced the delta smelt, questioning how the endangered species could survive without water flow.
However, these assertions have been debunked by experts who note that Los Angeles does not rely on Northern California water sources. The city primarily draws its water from the Owens Valley and the Colorado River. Fire officials have indicated that water scarcity is not hampering firefighting efforts, with the blazes being driven primarily by high winds and dry conditions.
Governor Gavin Newsom’s office rejected Trump’s claim about a “water restoration declaration,” calling it “pure fiction.” Newsom accused Trump of spreading “mis- and disinformation” about the wildfires, stating that “somehow connecting the delta smelt to this fire is inexcusable because it’s inaccurate.”
While Trump has threatened to withhold federal assistance, experts note that such action would face significant obstacles. FEMA currently has approximately $27 billion in its Disaster Relief Fund, after Congress approved $29 billion in new funding in December. The agency’s procedures are designed to provide immediate assistance during disasters. Trump’s claim that Biden left him “NO MONEY IN FEMA” was proven false by these figures.
However, long-term recovery funding could face challenges. House Speaker Mike Johnson has suggested that supplemental aid through the Department of Housing and Urban Development could be conditioned on California making policy changes. Without this additional funding, the state’s ability to rebuild would be severely impacted. The biggest concern revolves around Congressional approval of long-term housing and recovery funds through HUD.
Los Angeles fire officials have reported infrastructure constraints during the firefighting efforts, though these issues were related to municipal water systems being overworked rather than state water policies. The fire department’s ability to respond has been tested by the scale of the disaster, with multiple neighborhoods requiring simultaneous emergency response.
Governor Newsom has invited President Trump to visit California and witness the devastation firsthand. Trump is scheduled to tour the wildfire damage in the coming days, though it remains unclear whether he will meet with the governor during his visit. The president’s visit comes as firefighters continue their efforts to contain the Hughes fire, which has become one of the most destructive in Los Angeles County’s history.
