California Governor Gavin Newsom, facing intense scrutiny over his handling of wildfires during his time in office, unveiled a new initiative Tuesday that echoes President Donald Trump’s past advice to clean forest floors — this time under the slogan “Make America Rake Again.”
Wildfires have been a persistent and devastating issue in California throughout Newsom’s governorship, with many accusing him of inaction and empty rhetoric as destructive blazes ravaged the state under his leadership.
For years, Democrats ridiculed Trump for suggesting that California could reduce wildfires by clearing forest debris — a strategy often reduced to “raking.” Newsom himself publicly derided the concept during a 2020 appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers, dismissing the idea entirely and poking fun at residents who displayed “Make America Rake Again” signs. “We have no raking policy,” he said mockingly.
Fast forward to Tuesday, and Newsom appeared to have shifted his tone dramatically. In a speech given in Placer County, he resurrected the same slogan he once mocked — “Make America Rake Again” — in an apparent attempt to repackage the concept as his own and aim blame at federal authorities.
Seeking to redirect attention, Newsom argued that the federal government is responsible for managing the vast majority of California’s land — about 57% — while the state controls just 3%. He said that several recent wildfires began on federally managed terrain, though he overlooked the fact that some of the worst fires this year, such as those in Los Angeles, started on state land.
“The president of the United States needs to do more to back up his rhetoric with investments and resources to roll back the cuts,” Newsom said, referencing reductions in federal support. He added that California is currently engaged in 2,200 vegetation management efforts and is spending $350 million of its own budget to thin brush on federal property.
“The Trump administration needs to step up and they need to fund these efforts, not just here in California, but throughout the Western United States,” Newsom said, a day after approving a $322 billion state budget.
Newsom’s record during past crises hasn’t helped his case. When asked by CNN about the dry fire hydrants during the Palisades Fire, he deflected responsibility, saying locals should “figure that out,” offering no solution himself.
Even as he adopted Trump’s language, Newsom couldn’t resist another jab at the president. “He quite literally thinks you should just go out and rake the forest,” Newsom said, implying Trump lacked intelligence.
At the same time, Newsom is requesting $40 billion in disaster relief from Trump to address the damage from the Los Angeles fires, even while authorizing $50 million in state spending to counter what he sees as federal shortcomings.

{Matzav.com}