Trump's Water Claims for California Wildfires Face Widespread Rebuttal

President Trump falsely claimed the U.S. military intervened to restore water supplies in California, sparking pushback from state officials and experts.

President Trump claimed on Truth Social that the U.S. military 'turned on the water' in California to combat wildfires, a statement refuted by California officials.
The California Department of Water Resources clarified that federal water pumps were restarted after routine maintenance, with no military involvement.
State officials and experts emphasized that water supplies in Southern California were sufficient and that dry hydrants were caused by local infrastructure issues, not water shortages.
Trump issued executive orders to override California's water management policies, which critics argue primarily benefit large agricultural interests rather than addressing firefighting needs.
Environmental groups and experts warn that Trump's directives could harm ecosystems and fail to resolve the systemic challenges of California's water infrastructure.

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Orange County Register

San Francisco Chronicle

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