Newsom’s Wildfire Response Goes Up in Smoke During NBC Interview [WATCH]

California Governor Gavin Newsom’s attempt to address the state’s wildfire crisis on national television Sunday drew widespread criticism for his defensive tone, unclear responses, and erratic mannerisms.

The interview, conducted by NBC News Correspondent Jacob Soboroff in Altadena, California, centered on the Eaton Fire, which has ravaged parts of the San Gabriel Valley.

During the interview, Newsom struggled to explain why reservoirs in Southern California, including the Santa Ynez Reservoir in the Pacific Palisades, were left empty as fires spread.

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The Santa Ynez Reservoir, which holds up to 117 million gallons of water, could have played a critical role in combating the flames.

“Was it pipes? Was it electricity? It was a combination of pipes, electricities, and pumps,” Newsom speculated, gesturing animatedly.

He then posed additional rhetorical questions:

“Was that drawdown impossible because you lost seven-plus thousand structures right here anyway and every single structure we lost had a pipe that was leaking, and we would’ve lost that water pressure anyway?”

Newsom’s disjointed remarks and erratic gestures left many viewers questioning his leadership and clarity during a critical time.

Adding to the controversy, Newsom claimed that Southern California reservoirs were full, a statement contradicted by reports from local sources and experts.

Did Gavin Newsom just get ‘Fact-Checked’ on Meet the Press…

…after calling on Joe Biden to ‘deal with’ people spreading misinformation about his wildfire response? pic.twitter.com/ifO4oUcA4b

— RVM News (@redvoicenews) January 12, 2025

Critics have pointed to this misrepresentation as evidence of the governor’s lack of preparedness and understanding of the state’s infrastructure issues.

When asked if he was deflecting blame for the crisis, Newsom denied the accusation, stating:

“How could it be when we just want an adjudication of the facts? It’s about asking the questions you and everyone else want answered. And I think there is a propensity to wait to answer those questions and people want immediacy.”

His response did little to satisfy skeptics, as questions remain about why essential resources were not fully utilized to prevent and combat the fires.

When Soboroff pressed Newsom on whether he took ultimate responsibility as governor, Newsom responded with a convoluted statement:

“I mean, you’re the governor of California, you (unintelligible) the mayor of California. We’re all better off, we’re all better off, we’re all better off, and working together to take care of people.”

NEW: Nero Newsom again says he wants answers.

He’s then asked if the buck stops with him as the Governor of California.

He responds with word salad. pic.twitter.com/qTkBmaWRRk

— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) January 12, 2025

The unclear response further fueled criticism, with detractors comparing his rhetoric to Vice President Kamala Harris’s often-criticized speaking style.

During the interview, Newsom took aim at President Trump, accusing him of making “inexcusable” comments about California’s water policies.

“He’s somehow connecting the delta smelt to this fire, which is inexcusable because it’s inaccurate. Also, incomprehensible to anyone that understands water policy in the state,” Newsom said.

In contrast, Newsom praised Joe Biden for his support during the crisis, stating:

“We had support from the President…100% reimbursement; all of the resources you could hope for and imagine.”

California Governor @GavinNewsom slams Donald Trump’s “inexcusable” wildfire claims on NBC’s Meet the Press.https://t.co/FKvdBh7Gha pic.twitter.com/bBjDUpMiWc

— Sky News (@SkyNews) January 12, 2025

Newsom’s performance during the interview and his handling of the wildfire crisis have intensified criticism of his leadership.

Residents of California, already grappling with the devastating impact of the fires, have expressed frustration over the state’s apparent lack of preparedness and the governor’s inability to provide clear answers.

As California continues to battle the wildfires, questions about Newsom’s leadership and the state’s management of resources remain front and center.

For many, Sunday’s interview only added to concerns about the governor’s ability to lead during times of crisis.

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