Newsom Refuses to Take Responsibility for California’s Fire Response

California Governor Gavin Newsom once again proved that he is more interested in dodging responsibility than actually leading. When pressed over the weekend about the state’s failure to properly respond to devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, Newsom refused to take any accountability, instead launching an "investigation" to deflect blame.

During an interview on NBC’s “Meet The Press,” Newsom was asked if “the buck stops” with him regarding California’s water supply issues, which hampered firefighters’ ability to combat the blazes. His response? He wants an investigation to determine “What the hell happened?”

This is the same governor who slashed $100 million from the state’s fire prevention budget.

Instead of answering for his poor decisions, Newsom rambled about potential issues with “pipes” and “electricity” while insisting, “This is not about finger pointing.” The irony was lost on no one.

Newsom’s response fits a long-standing pattern of his failed leadership:

• Incompetent Disaster Management: California wildfires have gotten worse under Newsom, despite his administration’s claims that they are handling things effectively.

• Defunding Fire Prevention: Cutting fire prevention funding has left the state more vulnerable, yet Newsom acts shocked when disaster strikes.

• Blaming Others: Whether it's crime, homelessness, or now wildfires, Newsom always finds a way to dodge responsibility and shift the blame elsewhere.

When asked directly if this “independent investigation” was simply a way to shield himself from criticism, Newsom pushed back, claiming, “We just want the adjudication of the facts.”

Yet when pressed on whether responsibility ultimately falls on him, Newsom refused to say yes, instead complaining that people were taking “cheap political shots.”

Real leaders take responsibility. They don’t deflect. They don’t launch investigations just to buy time. And they certainly don’t cut essential funding, then pretend to be shocked when problems arise.

Newsom’s refusal to take ownership of California’s failures is a perfect example of why the state is in crisis. From skyrocketing crime to rampant homelessness and now deadly wildfires, Newsom’s disastrous leadership continues to cost Californians dearly.

If California wants real leadership, it won’t come from Newsom it will come from new leadership that actually puts the people first.

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