California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is in the spotlight as multiple wildfires tear through the Los Angeles area, putting his response under a microscope amid speculation over his political ambitions.

On Tuesday, Newsom declared a state of emergency as the fires raged in the southern part of the state. The governor has come under heavy criticism from President-elect Trump, who called on him to resign over his handling of the wildfires on Thursday.

The developments come as Newsom is increasingly seen as one of the Democrats on the frontline responding to the incoming Trump administration, as well as a likely 2028 presidential contender.

“I can imagine that his team would probably wish if they had their way of course they would wish that this was not happening at this time,” said former California Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D). “It makes launching any type of national campaign a very difficult thing to do.”

The president-elect hit Newsom on Wednesday for not signing a declaration to pump more water through the state to prevent the fires. Newsom’s team denied the existence of the document.

“There is no such document as the water restoration declaration — that is pure fiction,” said Newsom’s communication director Izzy Garden. “The governor is focused on protecting people, not playing politics, and making sure firefighters have all the resources they need.”

Newsom’s team noted that prior to the fire’s outbreak earlier this week, the governor ordered the prepositioning of assets, including 65 local government fire engines, seven water tenders, seven helicopters, nine dozers and over 105 specialized personnel through the state’s fire and rescue mutual aid system.

Still, there are questions as to whether local officials and state officials were prepared for multiple large-scale fires and whether more preventative measures could have been taken.

“Whenever a region is unprepared, of course it is the people in........

© The Hill