Former President Donald Trump issued a stark warning on Friday, threatening to withhold federal aid to help battle California's wildfires unless Governor Gavin Newsom (D) changes a state water policy aimed at protecting an endangered fish species. During a press conference at his Los Angeles area golf club, Trump said that if re-elected, he would prioritize delivering more water to California, particularly for farmers, who have long sought full use of their land.

The dispute centers around the amount of water that can be pumped from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, a critical source of water for California agriculture. Under current federal and state regulations, water extraction is limited to protect the smelt, an endangered fish species that plays a crucial role in the ecosystem. Environmentalists argue that while the smelt has a short lifespan, its loss could have broader implications for the ecosystem.

Trump criticized Governor Newsom, referring to him as "Newscum," and demanded changes to the state's water policy. He claimed that the water being held to protect the smelt was "dead" and threatened to cut off wildfire relief funding unless Newsom complies. "And if he doesn’t sign those papers, we won’t give him money to put out his fires," Trump said. "He’s a lousy governor," he added.

This isn’t the first time Trump has clashed with California over its wildfire management or water policies. During his presidency, he made similar threats to withhold federal disaster relief funds over disagreements on state policies, especially concerning forest management and water distribution.

Trump further linked California's current challenges to Vice President Kamala Harris, who previously held various state roles, including district attorney of San Francisco, attorney general of California, and U.S. senator. He accused Harris and other state leaders of contributing to the economic and immigration issues plaguing the state.

The core of the dispute lies in the balance between environmental protection and agricultural interests. The water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is critical for California’s Central Valley, one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world. However, federal and state policies limit how much water can be pumped in order to preserve the habitat of the smelt, which has been listed as endangered for over a decade.

Critics of the restrictions argue that the policies put farmers at a disadvantage, limiting their water supply in times of drought. Trump’s proposal to increase water availability to farmers would circumvent the need for desalinization plants, which are costly and time-consuming to build.

Trump concluded his remarks by urging California residents to vote for him, promising increased water access and economic growth. "Vote for Trump, and you’re going to have water, and you’re going to have growth and prosperity," he said, adding that the people who have left the state due to economic or environmental challenges will return.

As the 2024 election draws near, Trump’s challenge to California’s water policy underscores the broader political and environmental debates surrounding resource management in the state, especially as the region grapples with climate change, droughts, and wildfires.