California Governor Gavin Newsom called on Joe Biden during a virtual meeting Friday to combat what he described as “misinformation” about his administration’s response to the devastating wildfires raging across Los Angeles.

Newsom alleged that false information is circulating about the crisis, hindering relief efforts and creating division.

Newsom expressed frustration over conversations he and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have had with the public, which he claimed were influenced by false narratives.

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Speaking directly to Biden, Newsom said, “I ask you, we’ve got to deal with this misinformation. The hurricane force, winds filled with mis-and-disinformation lies. People want to divide this country and we’re gonna have to address that as well.”

He added, “It breaks my heart as people are suffering and struggling, that we’re up against those hurricane forces as well. And that’s just a point of personal privilege that I share that with you because it infects real people who are out there, people I meet every single day.”

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Newsom’s handling of the wildfire crisis has come under fire, particularly regarding reports of insufficient water pressure in fire hydrants.

An analysis from government transparency group OpenTheBooks revealed that the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) lacked adequate funding for hydrants despite paying its officials high taxpayer-funded salaries.

Additionally, Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Chief Kristin Crowley faced scrutiny for her department’s focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

The LAFD’s internal “racial equity plan” prioritizes diversity in staffing, which some critics argue has detracted from addressing operational challenges.

Former President-elect Donald Trump criticized Newsom for prioritizing environmental policies, such as protecting the delta smelt, over ensuring adequate water supplies for fire response efforts.

Trump pointed to federal approval during his first term for a water management plan that he claims Newsom refused to implement.

“We had a plan to manage water effectively, but Newsom chose to prioritize a tiny fish over Californians’ safety,” Trump stated.

Adding to the controversy, Mayor Karen Bass was criticized for traveling to Ghana during the wildfire crisis to attend the inauguration of Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama.

Her absence during the fires, which have destroyed thousands of homes and displaced over 100,000 people, has raised questions about her priorities.

The fires, which swept through areas such as Eaton Canyon and Pacific Palisades, have left a trail of destruction.

Thousands of homes have been destroyed, and residents have shared accounts of being forced to evacuate with little to no warning, only to return and find their homes reduced to ashes.

One emotional mother confronted Newsom on Thursday after her daughter’s school was destroyed in the fires.

She criticized the lack of water resources available to firefighters and questioned the state’s response to the disaster.

In response, a spokesperson for Newsom stated that the governor had spoken to Joe Biden, who committed to covering 100% of the wildfire response costs for the next 180 days.

As California continues to battle these devastating wildfires, the focus remains on relief efforts, addressing systemic issues in emergency management, and supporting affected communities.

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