Biden’s FEMA Chief Claims California Was ‘Very Prepared’ for Fires Despite Chaos

In yet another embarrassing display of the Biden administration’s detachment from reality, FEMA Administrator Deanna Criswell claimed over the weekend that California was “very prepared” for the devastating wildfires that tore through the state last week. Her statement flies in the face of overwhelming evidence showing widespread failures in response efforts, mismanagement, and preventable destruction.

During an interview on CBS, Criswell was asked why Southern California was caught off guard by the fires. Instead of acknowledging the glaring failures, she insisted, “I think that they were very prepared,” going so far as to claim that California officials “fight fires all the time.”

Criswell’s dismissive response ignores the fundamental issues that have plagued California’s fire response for years:

• Massive Budget Cuts: Governor Gavin Newsom slashed $100 million from California’s fire prevention budget, leaving the state more vulnerable than ever.

• Underprepared Firefighters: Despite FEMA’s claims, reports from the ground indicated a lack of resources and personnel to contain the blazes before they spiraled out of control.

• Neglected Infrastructure: Criswell admitted there is no federal requirement for California to move its aging, fire-prone power lines underground something that could have prevented these fires in the first place.

Criswell tried to justify the state’s poor response by claiming the fires were fueled by “100-mile-an-hour winds” that firefighters had never seen before. This is laughable, considering California deals with Santa Ana winds every single year winds that frequently contribute to devastating wildfires.

Even when pressed about whether federal funding for California’s rebuilding should come with the stipulation that power lines be moved underground, Criswell refused to commit to any requirement. Instead, she vaguely suggested that FEMA would “work closely with California” to explore the idea meaning nothing will change.

The Biden administration’s refusal to hold California accountable for its disastrous mismanagement is yet another example of Democrats prioritizing political narratives over public safety. Instead of taking responsibility, they continue making excuses while the people of California suffer the consequences.

At some point, leadership must step up, admit failures, and fix these problems. But as long as the Biden administration remains in power, Americans can expect more empty words, more mismanagement, and more preventable disasters.

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