HELENA, MT – CNN is reporting today that Trump has rejected California’s request for disaster relief funds following the record-breaking destructive wildfires. Western Values Project’s research has found that President Trump has repeatedly cut federal funding dedicated to preventing and mitigating the spread of wildfires.
The report shows that Trump has often rebuked experts within his administration and withheld funding for political reasons. And he’s blamed state officials in an attempt to shirk responsibility – even though most of the fires are occurring on federal lands – all while padding the pockets of logging companies.
“Trump has done everything except physically light a match to spark worsening wildfires across Western state lands that his government is responsible for managing. Time and again he’s cut budgets, resulting in fewer firefighters, less mitigation and land management, and decreased research used to prevent future deadly fires,” said Jayson O’Neill, Western Values Project director. “And now he refuses to allocate relief funds to California, despite the millions of acres of land and families affected by wildfires. These actions are dangerous enough on their own, but it’s even worse if Trump has withheld funding based on political reasons. Americans facing wildfires can’t afford political games and need a serious approach to wildfire management from the federal government.”
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