A Republican U.S. congressman from Ohio has called for California to be withheld federal disaster aid unless the state reforms its forest management practices, which some blame for the rapid spread of wind-fanned fires that broke out on Tuesday.
Warren Davidson’s comments to Fox Business’ Maria Bartiromo came Friday as California’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom urged officials not to politicize the response to the fires that have killed people and destroyed thousands of homes.
Davidson’s comments came in the context of a spending bill that Congress would have to pass before March to avoid a government shutdown that would include disaster relief for California.
Related: As wildfires ravage LA, Republicans point the finger at Democratic California leaders
Davidson pointed to the American Relief Act, 2025 – passed in December – which has contributed $110 billion to disaster relief in areas affected by Hurricanes Milton and Helene, including North and South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. Other disaster-affected areas were also included.
The congressman said Congress will have to “address fires” as it did with previous hurricane damage, “but… if they want the money, then there have to be consequences if they have to change their policies” regarding forest management.
“I mean, we support the people who are being plagued by disaster, but we have to put pressure on the California government to change course here.”
The politicization of the Los Angeles fires, which began almost as soon as they manifested, shows signs of intensifying in the aftermath. Donald Trump – who begins his second presidency on January 20 – weighed in, alluding to his accusation of state leaders of “gross mismanagement” of forests in 2018, after wildfires devastated Malibu and Paradise, California.
At the time, Newsom defended California’s wildfire prevention efforts while criticizing the federal government for not doing enough to help protect the state. “You don’t believe in climate change. You are excused from this conversation,” Newsom told Trump in a message on X.
Most recently, Trump blamed the Democratic-controlled state for withholding water from northern parts of the state to Southern California as part of environmental efforts to help protect a small fish — the Delta smelt, and he blamed environmentalists for hampering the state’s fire response.
But on Friday, Newsom sought to put that dispute aside by inviting Trump to visit areas affected by the fire disaster and meet with first responders, firefighters and “Americans” affected by the catastrophe.
“In the spirit of this great country, we cannot politicize human tragedies or spread disinformation from the sidelines,” Newsom wrote in a letter to Trump on Friday. “Hundreds of thousands of Americans – displaced from their homes and fearful of the future – deserve to see all of us working in their best interests to ensure a speedy recovery and rebuild.”
Related: American right-wing fans spread disinformation as firefighters battle Los Angeles fires
Joe Biden has already approved a disaster declaration for the Southern California fires, which commits the federal government to covering all fire management and debris removal costs for six months. But with Biden days away from being president, the federal recovery aid California receives will soon be in the hands of Trump and a Congress controlled by his fellow Republicans.
Newsom thanked Biden — his fellow Democrat — for “approving our major disaster declaration.” According to Politico, Newsom wrote in his letter to Trump that Biden’s action was “a strong indication of the partnership California needs and values with every federal government.”
“However,” Newsom added, “the threat to life and property remains acute. Stronger than normal winds of up to 75 miles per hour are still forecast over the coming days, with more extreme winds likely to be expected early next week, with no change to dry conditions.”
According to Politico, an unnamed Trump official downplayed the idea that he would withhold aid from the state.
