California Governor Gavin Newsom (Democrat) invited President-elect Trump to California on Friday amid a war of words between the two leaders over wildfires in the Los Angeles area.
“In the spirit of this great nation, we must not politicize a human tragedy or spread disinformation from the sidelines,” Newsom wrote in his letter to Trump. “The hundreds of thousands of Americans who have lost their homes and fear for their future deserve to see us all working in their best interests to ensure a speedy recovery and rebuilding.”
Newsom referenced Trump’s visit to California during the Camp and Woolsey fires in 2018.
“As I prepare to serve as President once again, I ask that you come back to California to meet the Americans affected by these fires, see firsthand the devastation, and join me and others in thanking our heroic firefighters and first responders. I hope so. “I risked my life,” he wrote.
Prime Minister Newsom also praised President Biden’s support for fighting the fire and said he was grateful the president quickly issued a disaster declaration.
The letter comes as California’s governor and president-elect clash over Newsom’s response to the wildfires.
In a Truth Social post Wednesday, Trump called on Newsom to resign.
“One of the greatest and most beautiful parts of America is burning,” Trump said. “It is ashes and Gavin Newscum must resign. “It’s all his fault!!!”
The president-elect also said that to avoid the situation, Newsom should have signed a declaration to provide additional water to California.
Newsom’s office fired back at the accusation, calling it “pure fiction.”
The governor himself hit back at President Trump, accusing him of politicizing the fire.
“People are literally running away,” Newsom told CNN’s Anderson Cooper in an interview that aired Wednesday. “People lost their lives. “Children lost their schools, families were completely torn apart, and churches burned down.”
“This guy wanted to politicize it,” he added, referring to Trump. “You have a lot on your mind and I know what you want to say. I won’t. I am proud to stand today next to the President of the United States, Joe Biden. “He had the support of everyone in this community and was not involved in politics.”
At least 10 people died in this wildfire and more than 10,000 structures were destroyed. More than 300,000 residents are under evacuation orders or warnings.
