California Governor Gavin Newsom is once again asking Congress for a massive amount of federal funding—this time, $40 billion for wildfire relief. But here’s where things get interesting: just two weeks ago, he approved $50 million in state spending to fight the Trump administration on immigration and other policies.
A State Focused on Politics Over Priorities?
Wildfires have devastated California, with the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire leaving destruction in their wake. But while these fires were still burning, Newsom and the Democratic-controlled legislature rushed to approve funding—not for disaster relief, but for lawsuits against Trump’s policies.
Of the $50 million allocated:
- $25 million will go toward legal aid for illegal immigrants.
- Another $25 million will be used to fight Trump’s policies in court.
And now, just weeks later, Newsom is asking Washington to cover the costs of wildfire recovery.
Federal Funds—No Strings Attached?
Newsom sent a 14-page letter to congressional leaders, insisting that California will use the funds responsibly:
“Make no mistake, Los Angeles will use this money wisely. California will ensure that funds will serve individuals, communities, property owners, and businesses that suffered losses from these deadly fires.”
But here’s the catch: Newsom is not offering anything in return. No commitment to better forest management, no adjustments in water policies, no reforms to emergency response strategies—just a request for billions with zero conditions attached.
Will Congress Approve the Bailout?
Former Trump administration official Ambassador Rick Grenell warned last week that federal aid will come with conditions—unlike Newsom’s blank check approach. Politico has reported that Newsom is now scrambling to ensure the funds have “no strings attached.”
The idea of federal oversight is not new. After the September 11th attacks, Congress appointed a special master to oversee the disbursement of relief funds, ensuring they were properly managed. President Trump has accepted a similar proposal for California, meaning that if federal aid is granted, it may come with increased oversight and accountability.
California’s Fiscal Choices Under Scrutiny
While natural disasters require federal support, many are questioning whether California’s spending priorities make sense. If the state had $50 million available for political battles, why wasn’t that money directed toward fire prevention, emergency response, or rebuilding efforts?
The debate is far from over, but one thing is clear: Newsom is walking a fine line between asking for federal assistance and making highly political spending decisions. Will Congress approve the funds, or will California be forced to rethink its priorities?
🔗 What do you think? Should federal relief come with conditions, or should California get a blank check? Let’s discuss.
All funding in CA that contributes to illegals living in USA must be stopped and going forward must be used for relief from fires and major prevention projects. Newsom is a child who doesn’t know how to manage an organization or be a good steward of taxpayers money. He is sickening!