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President Donald Trump stated on Monday night that the U.S. military entered California and turned on the water, though state officials have pushed back on the claim.
Trump shared the update in a Truth Social post addressing the state’s ongoing wildfires.
“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. The days of putting a Fake Environmental argument, over the PEOPLE, are OVER. Enjoy the water, California!!!” he wrote.
The California Department of Water Resources disputed the claim, however, posting its own response on X.
“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,” the department wrote.
RSBN previously reported that on Sunday, Trump also ordered the federal government to override California’s water management practices to help firefighters.
“This tragedy affects the entire Nation, so it is in the Nation’s interest to ensure that California has what it needs to prevent and fight these fires and others in the future. Therefore, it is the policy of the United States to provide Southern California with necessary water resources, notwithstanding actively harmful State or local policies,” the order noted.
“And it is the policy of the United States to assist Americans in disaster areas through responsive policies that more effectively empower them to rebuild and regain their livelihoods,” it continued.
Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom welcomed Trump to the state on Friday, meeting him as he arrived.
“We welcome President Trump to California with an open hand. Just as President Trump supported California during the pandemic, we will work together again for firestorm survivors and communities across Los Angeles who deserve all the help they can get from federal, state and local governments,” Newsome said in a statement.
“While we work on recovery, we’re also deploying crews across the region to protect against potential mudslides from the rains expected this weekend. We’re not out of the woods but the people of Los Angeles should know we’re not leaving your side,” he added.
