A potentially dangerous fire season in California, Gavin Newsom said the state’s National Guard’s key fire crews had only 40% of their actions after President Trump ordered them to be transferred to Los Angeles in response to federal immigration operations.
Newsom said this week that of the 14 firefighters in the California National Guard, eight of whom were called “Tail Force Rattlesnakes” had been deployed to Los Angeles as part of Trump's federal guard. The Rattlesnake Task Force consists of more than 300 members of the California National Guard who work in the direction of the California Forestry and Fire Department.
The governor said that only six of the nine crew members were left ready and could react to the fire just a week ago.
“As California’s peak fire season develops well, we need all the resources available to protect the community,” Newsom said in a statement. “President Trump: cancel your illegal orders and bring the guards back to critical fire and prevention efforts that really keep the community safe.”
The troops were asked to call out federal active duty under Title 10 Authority, which authorized the president to activate the National Guard to serve the federal government under certain emergency agreements, Kargood officials said. Newsom's objection to these actions is unnecessary and illegal infringement of the state's authority.
Trump announced on June 7 that the National Guard will be deployed to Los Angeles for “temporary protection” [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement] and other U.S. government personnel performing federal functions. ”
Once the troops are federally under federal command and control, California military department spokesman Carl Trujillo said in an email that once the troops are under federal command and control, they “cannot be reappointed by the state.”
“They will not be able to restore their relief duties until they are released from their federal status,” Trujillo said.
Calguard's firefighting capacity is reduced as the president weakens other agencies that help states prepare for and deal with wildfires, including the U.S. Forest Service (U.S. Forest Service (U.S.) largest federal firefighting entity. Since Trump took office, the U.S. has lost about 3,400 employees due to layoffs and buyouts and fighting for budget cuts, funding freezes, and renewed focus on timber production, and other changes in the Trump administration.
The president also made comprehensive changes to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including the cancellation of grants and staff cuts, and recommended the agency to be completely dissolved this fall.
When asked about the Calguard deployment, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told the Times. [what] The real leader looks like it. ”
“Over the past six months, President Trump has had to step in and save Californians from Gavin Newsom's incompetence,” Jackson said. “First of all, when Newsom was long unprepared for January wildfires, just recently, Newsom refused to stop violence, with left-wing thugs attacking federal law enforcement.”
With the tensions lightning, California is facing an active wildfire season, which warm and dry conditions may fuel the season in the coming months. The latest prospects for state agencies across the center warn that Northern California, Nevada's Sierra Mountains and several coastal areas of the state as of September, “huge firepower potential.”
According to Cal Fire, there are currently five active fires in the state. So far this year, the agency has responded to 2,990 fires that have burned nearly 93,000 acres.
“These are our most dedicated members – passionate about Wildland Firefighting and proud to serve the community through this unique national mission,” Trujillo said of task force Rattlesnake.
The president's decision to invoke Chapter 10 and send troops to Los Angeles has caused controversy.
Trump noted in his order that protests threaten the safety of ice sheet agents and other administration personnel in the Lala immigration attack. La Mayor Karen Bass said local law enforcement has mobilized in the area and federal forces are “provocation”.
Newsom also said that sending troops was intentional. he File a lawsuit It is believed that the President's actions are illegal and violated his authority, powers under Article 10. The judge initially supported Newsom, but the High Court ruled that Trump was in favor. The case is still under review.
The president has deployed nearly 7,000 federal forces to Los Angeles over the past two weeks.
