David Siders
Appearances
Today, Explained
The politics of fire
Well, I'd say nearly instantaneously. You had Trump posting about it by Wednesday morning, pointing blame at California leaders.
Today, Explained
The politics of fire
Other Republicans talking about Karen Bass, the Los Angeles mayor, and broadly, I think, a condemnation by Republicans of Democrats. So I think it started within hours.
Today, Explained
The politics of fire
I think the most prominent one is also probably the most baseless, which is so interesting. And that's about the Delta smelt that he says that Gavin Newsom diverted water to protect this endangered fish.
Today, Explained
The politics of fire
It's a small, not very nice looking fish. And it's just not the case. There are controversies in California, huge ones around the Delta smelt. There's always controversy around water. And it has to do with, I mean, there are restrictions that are meant to protect that fish and also the ecosystem around it.
Today, Explained
The politics of fire
You're exactly right. It's about the agriculture interests there, the farmers and some communities further south. Can you imagine?
Today, Explained
The politics of fire
But in this case, authorities have been very clear that the reservoirs were full, that this wasn't an issue of turning on the taps in the delta up north.
Today, Explained
The politics of fire
They're saying that this is disinformation, and Newsom's been very aggressive about this.
Today, Explained
The politics of fire
Local water authorities are saying the same thing. Newsom is also inviting Trump to visit California, so that's the other part of the response, I would say. And then... Not a direct response, but one that tacitly acknowledges, I think, the conservative criticism. We saw Newsom sign an executive order suspending some environmental regulations to help streamline rebuilding after the fires.
Today, Explained
The politics of fire
Yeah, she was brutalized, too, as you say, for being abroad at the time.
Today, Explained
The politics of fire
Do you think you should have been visiting Ghana while this was unfolding back home?
Today, Explained
The politics of fire
She's pushing back in similar ways. She's faced some disinformation too. The fire department budget, for example. There is not agreement as to whether or not the budget was cut. On the other hand, there's been concern for a long time in the area about staffing levels with FD.
Today, Explained
The politics of fire
I think the problem for her with being away is that she had really cultivated this image of being a mayor who was in the weeds, prioritizing local issues.
Today, Explained
The politics of fire
Not being there at the start, no matter what she says, that hurts. And I think that hurts her image, and even Democrats acknowledge that that's a liability for her.
Today, Explained
The politics of fire
Well, I think there'll be a lot of immediate things they need to do, right? And some of it we're already seeing, like they have to finish putting out the fires, right? I mean, that's not done, and they have to do all of that immediately. immediate kind of work. And then the midterm stuff, and this could take a long time, like getting the utilities back in place, clearing the lots, demolition.
Today, Explained
The politics of fire
The broader question, I suppose, or some of the broader questions I have to deal with is a land use question, first of all, and housing, where to build, how to build. Something about resiliency probably.
Today, Explained
The politics of fire
And then there's this bigger question too about climate change and what does not only the state do about that, but then I think if you're a democratic leader in the state, you're looking for this to be some kind of catalyst for more climate action.
Today, Explained
The politics of fire
Yeah, and not only how, but where. And there has been some criticism online. Why do these people live here? And I think some people grappling with it themselves. Yes, we will be rebuilt, but why are we doing it here? And I guess I think about it, well, first of all, it's a personal decision some people in very high-profile ways have made, right?
Today, Explained
The politics of fire
They've left Malibu or they've left the Palisades or Altadena because of climate change. And many of us in California know people who have shed investments in this state and looked elsewhere because they see a climate future changing. that looks better somewhere else. I mean, it's tough for a couple of reasons, right? A home is not just four walls.
Today, Explained
The politics of fire
It's where their kids go to school and it's a job. It's also, it comes from an incredible place of privilege, I think, to think, yes, I could move to a different state. Not everybody is in that kind of position. And then ultimately, individual decisions to move somewhere else Might be good and rational for them, but that doesn't solve the climate problem.
Today, Explained
The politics of fire
So let's say I go to northern Minnesota or somebody else in this area does. That might be very good for a lot of years. But ultimately, that catches up to you, right? Unless there's something done. I'm sympathetic to the idea that we should be careful about where we build. And geez, I mean...
Today, Explained
The politics of fire
People in California knew that tucking themselves into the foothills like this, getting so close to nature came with this kind of risk. And I think it's only going to get harder now. You think about the fragile insurance market and the regulations and the reality of something like this happening. But I don't think this problem is solved simply by individual decisions to move.