President Donald Trump asserted that the U.S. military had entered California and turned on water from the Pacific Northwest, but state water officials denied the claim. They stated that the federal government restarted its water pumps after a three-day maintenance period. Most of California's water originates from the north and flows through the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta before being distributed to Southern California. Trump has frequently criticized California's water policies, advocating for increased water allocation to farmers.
FILE - President Donald Trump speaks as first lady Melania Trump and California Gov. Gavin Newsom listen, after arriving on Air Force One at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025.
The California Department of Water Resources said in a post on X that the “military did not enter California.” He has incorrectly said California’s water conveyance policies are to blame for hydrants running dry as Los Angeles-area wildfires raged on. Hefederal aid for the region unless the state changed its approach on water management. On Sunday, his administration released an executive order that aims to send more federally controlled water south.
The White House suggested Tuesday that Trump was referring to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers but did not provide details about how much water was involved, where it came from or how changes were implemented. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked at a briefing what role soldiers were playing in California water policy. She said California had “turned on the water,” referring to the authorities allowing water to flow from northern California to southern parts of the state.
Ahead of that visit, Trump had repeatedly blasted Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state’s water policies. He took a more conciliatory tone when Newsom met him on the tarmac, and did not mention conditions for federal aid during a briefing with local and state officials.
CALIFORNIA WATER TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WATER MANAGEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY FEDERAL AID
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Trump says military turned on California water; state officials deny claimsPresident Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that the U.S. military had entered California and, under emergency powers, turned on water supplies...
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Trump says military turned on California water; state officials deny claimsPresident Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that the U.S. military had entered California and, under emergency powers, turned on water supplies...
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Trump says military turned on California water; state officials deny claimsPresident Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that the U.S. military had entered California and, under emergency powers, turned on water supplies...
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Trump says military turned on California water; state officials deny claimsPresident Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that the U.S. military had entered California and, under emergency powers, turned on water supplies...
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Trump says military turned on California water; state officials deny claimsPresident Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that the U.S. military had entered California and, under emergency powers, turned on water supplies...
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Trump Claims Military Rerouted Water in California; Department Denies IncursionFormer President Trump falsely alleges the U.S. military redirected water from the Pacific Northwest to California under emergency powers. The Department of the Interior refutes the claim, stating the federal government restarted water pumps after maintenance.
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