Overview

• California Professional Firefighters President Brian K. Rice condemned Trump's threat as playing with lives for political gain.
• Trump's comments were made during a speech at his Rancho Palos Verdes golf club, where he also criticized California's water policies.
• Governor Gavin Newsom accused Trump of risking public safety to settle political vendettas, warning it could set a dangerous precedent.
• California is currently battling 11 active wildfires, with over 650,000 acres burned, exacerbated by climate conditions and fuel buildup.
• This is not the first time Trump has threatened to withhold disaster aid from California, having made similar remarks during the 2018 fire season.