Southern California is grappling with devastating wildfires that have annihilated over 2,000 homes and claimed at least five lives. Firefighters are battling three separate blazes exacerbated by dry weather and fierce winds, with expectations of further destruction.
In response, political figures, including President-elect Donald Trump, have controversially attributed blame to Democrats. Trump and others have suggested, without evidence, that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, along with military aid to Ukraine, have somehow contributed to the crisis.
On January 9, Trump expressed his views on Truth Social, stating, “One of the best and most beautiful parts of the United States of America is burning down to the ground. It’s ashes, and Gavin Newscum should resign. This is all his fault!!!”
In a separate post, Trump inaccurately claimed that FEMA’s resources were depleted due to funds being allocated to the “Green New Scam,” referring to the Green New Deal, which remains unimplemented.
Conservative voices have criticized Kristin Crowley, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Chief, alleging she was appointed based on her identity as a gay woman rather than her qualifications. These accusations reflect broader Republican critiques of DEI initiatives, frequently linking them to unrelated events like aviation incidents and the New Orleans attack on December 31, 2024.
Far-right influencer Matt Walsh commented on X, “Los Angeles deliberately set out to exclude white men from becoming firefighters, and now they don’t have enough firefighters to prevent their city from burning to the ground. DEI is a cancer that destroys everything it touches.” This sentiment was shared by several Republican lawmakers, including Georgia Representative Mike Collins and former Missouri Representative Billy Long, recently appointed by Trump to oversee the IRS.
However, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone told the Los Angeles Times that while limited personnel is a problem, no evidence suggests exclusion of white males in hiring practices.
Crowley’s career with the LAFD spans over two decades, culminating in her 2022 appointment as chief by Mayor Karen Bass, which received unanimous approval from the Los Angeles City Council.
Critics have also targeted Mayor Bass, alleging she cut $23 million from the LAFD’s budget to bolster police funding. These claims, amplified by Patrick Soon-Shiong, owner of the Los Angeles Times, have surfaced in various media. Yet, the actual scenario is more nuanced; while Bass did endorse a $17.5 million reduction in LAFD’s primary budget, additional funds have been earmarked, leading to a net increase of $50 million for firefighters in 2025, as noted by Councilmember Bob Blumenfield.
Further fueling controversy, Donald Trump Jr. circulated a conspiracy theory that LAFD’s preparedness was compromised due to equipment donations to Ukraine, an assertion gaining traction on far-right platforms. He posted on X, “Oh look of course The LA fire department donated a bunch of their supplies to Ukraine.”
Contrary to these claims, the LAFD has not sent supplies to Ukraine, although the Los Angeles County Fire Department did dispatch surplus body armor and medication in 2022, unrelated to current challenges.
Elon Musk, owner of X and ally to Trump, has also echoed these narratives regarding Ukraine and DEI.
Scientists largely agree that climate change is a driving factor behind the increasing frequency of wildfires, with the current outbreaks fueled by exceptionally dry conditions and intense winds, described by UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain as akin to an “atmospheric blow dryer.” The consensus attributes these escalating patterns to human-induced climate change.
Amidst these discussions, CNN’s Anderson Cooper questioned California Governor Gavin Newsom regarding Trump’s remarks.
Newsom responded, “People are literally fleeing. People have lost their lives, kids lost their schools, families completely torn asunder, churches burned down and this guy wants to politicize it.”
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