Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., appeared to deflect when faced with Los Angeles residents' anger over his response to the wildfires, saying local leaders and people on his staff did not give him a clear picture of the devastation.
In an interview With the liberal podcast, “Pod Save America,” released Saturday, the governor said he struggled to get “straight answers” about what was wrong with the wildfire response from lower-level leaders, suggesting it hampered his response.
“So, I'm the governor of California and I want to know the answer. I have this question, I can't tell you, by the number of people, 'What happened?' – On my team, 'What happened?' … I’ll be honest with you, I didn’t get straight answers,” Newsom told co-host Jon Favreau, referring to his conversations with local leaders.
Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., responded to those angry about his response to the wildfires, saying local leaders are not giving him direct answers about the crisis. (Getty/AP)
Favreau mentioned how one of his “best friends” who lost his home in The Palisades suggested Newsom was “just trying to shift blame” for the crisis. He added that Many residents 'very angry' about the state's response to the devastating fire and asked him to respond as the man “ultimately responsible” for the state.
Newsom acknowledged he was not fully aware of why the response was delayed and appeared to shift responsibility to other leaders.
“We had my team start talking to local leaders, saying, ‘What’s going on?’” Newsom began.
“And you didn't get direct answers from local leaders?” “I was getting different answers, and so, for me, it's not — when you start getting different answers, I'm not getting the actual story,” Newsom asserted.
Newsom argued that Trump is adding to the crisis by spreading “harmful” information about the state’s response to the wildfires. (Valerie Blish/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Newsom added that he gives these leaders “a little grace,” because he realizes they are “assessing” an “emergency environment.”
He pointed out that anger is igniting over the response to the forest fires because “no one has any patience anymore.”
The governor then pointed the finger at President-elect Donald Trump, who has Been feuding with After Trump accused Newsom of mishandling the wildfire response.
Trump on Wednesday criticized Newsom for not doing a “good job” throughout the crisis. He added: “It's very sad because I've been trying to convince Gavin Newsom to let the water in – you're going to have tremendous water there, and they're sending it in from the Pacific – because they're trying to protect so little water.” Fish for smelting, they have no water… This is the fault of the governor, and it can be said that the administration.”
Newsom's press office responded to comments on “
“In general, there is no water shortage in Southern California right now, despite Trump’s claims that he will turn on a fake tap,” she added.
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During the podcast interview, Newsom again criticized Trump for the allegations, suggesting that the president is spreading misinformation.
“They're words. They're authority. They're the form and substance of the fog. They're made up. They're fake and they're a consistent slogan from Trump that goes back for years and years and years, and is reinforced over and over again within the right wing.”
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The governor added that Trump has managed to bring this alleged convergence of misinformation “into this crisis in a very insulting and damaging way.”
Trump transition team spokesman Stephen Cheung responded to Newsom's accusations, telling Fox News Digital: “Instead of appearing on liberal podcasts, maybe Newsom (sic) should do his damned job and actually help the people who are still suffering in… under his terrible rule.” command.”
