California's Water Wars: A Tale of Confusion and Competing Claims

Trump Claims Military Turned on the Water in California

On January 27, 2025, former President Donald Trump stated on Truth Social that the U.S. military had "turned on the water" in wildfire-stricken California.

Trump's Post:

The United States Military just entered the Great State of California and, under Emergency Powers, TURNED ON THE WATER flowing abundantly from the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. The days of putting a Fake Environmental argument, over the PEOPLE, are OVER. Enjoy the water, California!!!

California Officials Dispute Trump's Claim

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) swiftly responded on Twitter, stating that the military had not intervened in California. Instead, they claimed that the federal government had merely restarted federal water pumps that had been offline for maintenance.

DWR's Tweet:

The military did not enter California. The federal government restarted federal water pumps after they were offline for maintenance for three days.

Conflicting Accounts and Unclear Responsibility

Despite these conflicting accounts, it remains unclear what transpired on January 27th. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) later claimed responsibility for the action in a post on Truth Social. However, neither the DWR nor the U.S. Army could confirm the deployment or clarify which pumps had been restarted.

Trump's Longstanding Water Controversy

This incident highlights a longstanding controversy surrounding Trump's claims of water mismanagement in California. Trump has previously alleged the existence of pumps and valves in Northern California or Canada that could solve the state's supposed water shortages.

In response to the wildfires in Los Angeles County in January 2025, Trump signed an executive order aimed at ensuring adequate water resources in Southern California. California officials, however, have repeatedly denied any water shortage in the state.

Conclusion

The claims and counterclaims surrounding the alleged military intervention in California's water supply have sown confusion and doubt. While Trump insists that the military "turned on the water," California officials maintain that this action was not necessary. The true nature of the events on January 27th remains unknown, underscoring the complexity and controversy surrounding water resources in California.