Former President Donald Trump has once again threatened to withhold federal disaster aid for California's wildfires if he returns to the White House. This alarming prospect has state officials and politicians considering contingency plans as the election approaches.
Trump's recent comments at campaign events suggest he would use disaster funding as leverage to force California to comply with his policy demands. Specifically, he threatened to withhold fire aid unless Governor Gavin Newsom makes more water available to farmers and homeowners.
While these may seem like empty threats, experts warn that presidents have substantial discretion over disaster aid allocation. During his previous term, Trump reportedly used this power as a political tool, initially denying aid for California wildfires until learning about supporter concentrations in certain areas.
The potential loss of federal funds would be devastating for California, where climate change has intensified wildfire seasons. A single severe fire season can cause tens of billions in damages and economic losses. Federal assistance through FEMA has been crucial in helping communities recover.
California officials are taking the threat seriously. Governor Newsom is reportedly working on plans to create a state disaster fund as a backup if federal aid becomes unavailable. However, even California's significant budget reserves may struggle to fully replace FEMA funding.
The firefighting community is especially concerned. Brian Rice, president of California Professional Firefighters, noted that Trump's behavior suggests such threats could become reality. The association endorsed Kamala Harris partly due to these concerns.
While presidents typically follow FEMA recommendations on disaster declarations, they are not legally required to do so. A denial of FEMA-recommended aid would likely face political backlash and legal challenges, but the outcome is uncertain.
Some federal assistance, like Fire Management Assistance Grants for firefighting costs, does not require presidential approval. However, Trump could potentially install FEMA officials who would carry out his wishes.
Ultimately, a loss of federal disaster aid would place a massive burden on California. It could force budget cuts in other areas to cover wildfire costs. More importantly, it would undermine the long-standing mutual aid system that underpins the nation's disaster response.
As climate change worsens wildfires and storms, California's need for federal assistance is virtually guaranteed. Using this critical aid as a political weapon would have devastating consequences for communities already grappling with increasing natural disasters.