WASHINGTON: On Monday night, President Donald Trump made a striking claim on social media, saying the U.S. military stepped in to “turn on the water” for California. He suggested that this action was taken under emergency powers to address the state’s water scarcity. However, state officials quickly refuted Trump’s statement, clarifying the actual situation.
Federal Water Pumps Restored After Routine Maintenance
California’s Department of Water Resources explained that federal water pumps had been offline for routine maintenance, not due to an emergency. The federal government temporarily shut down these pumps, responsible for supplying water to Southern California, for regular servicing. Once the maintenance was completed, they resumed operation and restored the water supply as usual.
Trump’s Misleading Post on Truth Social
In his post on Truth Social, Trump claimed, “The United States Military just entered the Great State of California and, under Emergency Powers, turned on the water.” The statement spread quickly, causing confusion among some followers. However, the claim was challenged by experts and officials, as no military forces were involved.
Governor Newsom Response
Governor Gavin Newsom’s office was quick to address the misinformation. His spokesperson referred a post from the Department of Water Resources on X , which stated, “The military did not enter California.” The water department confirmed that water supplies in Southern California remain abundant, despite the temporary pump outage.
A Recent Meeting between Trump and Newsom
The dispute over water policies came shortly after a meeting between Trump and Governor Newsom last Friday. During this meeting at Los Angeles International Airport, both leaders acknowledged the importance of cooperation. Trump said, “We’re looking to get something completed, and the way you get it completed is to work together.”
