As California is spoofing a potentially dangerous fire season, Gavin Newsom says key firefighters from the state’s National Guard are operating at just 40% of their capacity following President Trump’s order to divert to Los Angeles in response to a federal immigration lawsuit.
Eight of the California State Guard’s 14 firefighters (known as the Task Force rattlesnakes) have been deployed to LA as part of the federalization of Trump’s security guards, Newsom said this week. The Task Force rattlesnake consists of more than 300 members of the California National Guard who work under the direction of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention.
According to the governor, only six crew members will be left to reduce from just a week ago, potentially responding to a fire.
“With a well-going peak fire season across California, we need all the resources available to protect our community,” Newsom said in a statement. “President Trump: Resciss your illegal orders and return security guards to important fire and prevention jobs that actually keep the community safe.”
Calgaard officials said the military was convened in federal active duty under Title 10 authority, allowing it to be president to activate the National Guard forces for federal forces under certain emergency protocols. Newsom opposes these actions as unfair and illegal violations of state powers.
When Trump called Title 10 on June 7, he announced that he would deploy National Guard troops in Los Angeles for temporary protection. [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement] Other US government officials performing federal government functions. ”
California’s military spokesman, Carl Trujillo, said in an email that the military will become federal government, put under federal command and control, and “cannot be retrained by the state.”
“They cannot return to their fire service duties until they are released from their federal status,” Trujillo said.
The decline in Calgaard’s firefighting capabilities comes as the president undermines other agencies that help prepare and respond to wildfires, including the state’s largest federal fire organization, the U.S. Forest Service. The Forest Service has lost around 3,400 employees since Trump took office for layoffs and acquisitions, and is competing for a new focus on budget cuts, financing freezes and timber production.
The president also made drastic changes in the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which includes grant cancellations and reducing staff, and proposed disbanding the agency soon this fall.
When asked about Calgaard’s development, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson told the Times: “President Trump is showing it. [what] What does a real leader look like? ”
“President Trump has had to save Californians from Gavin Newsom’s incompetence twice in the last six months,” Jackson said. “First of all, when Newsom was chronically unprepared to deal with the wildfires of January, and recently when Newsom refused to stop violent, left-wing mobs from attacking federal law enforcement.”
As tensions intensify, California is facing an active wildfire season that could be fueled to extremely warm and dry conditions in the coming months. The latest outlook for the National Interagency Fire Center warns of “critical fire potential” in Northern California, Sierra Nevada and several coastal regions of the state through September.
There are currently five active flames in the state, according to Cal Fire. So far, the agency has responded to 2,990 fires that burned about 93,000 acres.
“These are some of our most dedicated members. We are passionate about Wildland firefighting and are proud to serve our community through this unique state mission,” Trujillo said of the task force rattlesnake.
There are few historical precedents in the president’s decision to summon Title 10 and send troops to Los Angeles. That’s why it’s causing controversy.
Trump said he is protesting and protesting in response to the immigrant attacks in LA. La Mayor Karen Bass said local law enforcement has already been mobilized in the area and federal troops are “provocative.”
Newsom likewise said sending troops was “deliberately inflammatory.” He filed a lawsuit alleging that the president’s actions were illegal and a violation of his authority under Title 10. The case remains under review.
The president has deployed nearly 7,000 federal forces in LA over the past two weeks.
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