‘What’s wrong with them’: Trump slams ‘incompetent pols’ in California as LA fire death toll climbs to 16

In a post to Truth Social, Trump said that California leadership has “no idea how to put them out.”

“Thousands of magnificent houses are gone, and many more will soon be lost. There is death all over the place. This is one of the worst catastrophes in the history of our Country. They just can’t put out the fires. What’s wrong with them?"

Trump attacked Governor Gavin Newsom in a post to Truth last week, saying: “Governor Gavin Newscum refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snow melt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California.”

“NO WATER IN THE FIRE HYDRANTS, NO MONEY IN FEMA. THIS IS WHAT JOE BIDEN IS LEAVING ME. THANKS JOE!” Trump said in a post later that day.

The California government’s failure to control the blazes has caused many, including the president-elect, to question the state’s preparedness for such events.

Fire hydrants in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood ran dry as five fires burned through, with water shortages being observed in several parts of the city. In response, Trump has accused Newsom of failing his state. Newsom, in response, invited Trump to visit Los Angeles and survey the damage with him.

Thus far, 16 people have perished in the fires, with 150,000 more people being displaced. State officials say that over 12,000 structures have been destroyed.

Despite the efforts of firefighters, including precise aerial crews, the Palisades Fire continues to burn eastward, threatening the heavily populated San Fernando Valley.