California Burns While Newsom and Trump Clash Over National Guard Control

Paul Riverbank, 6/19/2025California wildfires spark political battle between Newsom and Trump over National Guard control.

California's Perfect Storm: Wildfires, Politics, and the Battle for Resources

The smoke rising over California tells only part of the story. As eight wildfires tear through the state's landscape, a different kind of heat is building in Sacramento, where Governor Gavin Newsom finds himself caught between natural disasters and political firestorms.

I spent last week talking to firefighters near the Monte Fire in San Diego. "We're stretched thin," one veteran CAL FIRE captain told me, wiping soot from his face. "But that's nothing new." What is new, however, is the increasingly bitter dispute over National Guard resources that has erupted between state and federal authorities.

Newsom's administration claims Trump-era decisions left critical gaps in firefighting capability. Yet during my conversation with legal experts, including a former Ninth Circuit clerk, they pointed out something interesting: even Biden-appointed judges seem skeptical of the governor's legal arguments regarding National Guard deployment.

The governor's recent launch into the Substack universe caught my attention – not for its predictable anti-Trump messaging, but for what it reveals about his communication strategy. Between the lines of his first post lies a broader narrative about state versus federal authority, one that resonates beyond California's borders.

Here's where things get complicated. Proposition 36 passed with stunning support – 68% of voters backed stronger penalties for various crimes. But implementing voter will isn't cheap. Republican lawmakers want $400 million for implementation; Democrats counter with $100 million. Newsom's response? Let the counties figure it out.

The numbers tell their own story. California faces up to $20 billion in red ink, yet earlier this year, Newsom found $50 million to challenge Trump policies. His $322 billion budget proposal makes the Proposition 36 funding debate look like haggling over pocket change.

Meanwhile, in evacuation zones near Sacramento and San Diego, families pack photos and essential documents into cars, wondering if they'll have homes to return to. Politics feels distant when you're watching fire crawl toward your neighborhood, but these policy battles shape California's ability to respond to crises.

From my vantage point covering California politics for two decades, I've never seen such a complex intersection of natural disaster, political maneuvering, and fiscal challenges. The outcome will likely reshape how the state handles emergencies for years to come.

California's Perfect Storm: Wildfires, Politics, and the Battle for ResourcesThe smoke rising over California tells only part of the story. As eight wildfires tear through the state's landscape, a different kind of heat is building in Sacramento, where Governor Gavin Newsom finds himself caught between natural disasters and political firestorms.I spent last week talking to firefighters near the Monte Fire in San Diego. "We're stretched thin," one veteran CAL FIRE captain told me, wiping soot from his face. "But that's nothing new." What is new, however, is the increasingly bitter dispute over National Guard resources that has erupted between state and federal authorities.Newsom's administration claims Trump-era decisions left critical gaps in firefighting capability. Yet during my conversation with legal experts, including a former Ninth Circuit clerk, they pointed out something interesting: even Biden-appointed judges seem skeptical of the governor's legal arguments regarding National Guard deployment.The governor's recent launch into the Substack universe caught my attention – not for its predictable anti-Trump messaging, but for what it reveals about his communication strategy. Between the lines of his first post lies a broader narrative about state versus federal authority, one that resonates beyond California's borders.Here's where things get complicated. Proposition 36 passed with stunning support – 68% of voters backed stronger penalties for various crimes. But implementing voter will isn't cheap. Republican lawmakers want $400 million for implementation; Democrats counter with $100 million. Newsom's response? Let the counties figure it out.The numbers tell their own story. California faces up to $20 billion in red ink, yet earlier this year, Newsom found $50 million to challenge Trump policies. His $322 billion budget proposal makes the Proposition 36 funding debate look like haggling over pocket change.Meanwhile, in evacuation zones near Sacramento and San Diego, families pack photos and essential documents into cars, wondering if they'll have homes to return to. Politics feels distant when you're watching fire crawl toward your neighborhood, but these policy battles shape California's ability to respond to crises.From my vantage point covering California politics for two decades, I've never seen such a complex intersection of natural disaster, political maneuvering, and fiscal challenges. The outcome will likely reshape how the state handles emergencies for years to come.