In the wake of the Pacific Palisades fire in California earlier this year, several Democratic officials quickly attributed the disaster to climate change. However, the Trump administration declared on Wednesday that the fire was the result of arson.
Deputy U.S. Attorney Bill Esseri announced that an arrest was made related to the ongoing investigation into the January fire, which devastated areas, caused significant property damage, and sadly took the lives of over a dozen individuals. Before the true cause of the fires was known, many Democratic leaders wasted no time in linking the event to climate change.
Independent Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont remarked, “Donald Trump has to treat this like an existential crisis,” asserting on social media on January 8th, “Climate change is real, not a ‘hoax’.”
80,000 people are advised to evacuate.
Contains 0% Blaze.
It’s been 8 months since it rained in this area.
The scale of damage and loss is beyond imagination.
Climate change is not a “hoax” but a reality.
Donald Trump must treat this like an existential crisis. pic.twitter.com/TDyZZEPmoI
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) January 8, 2025
Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey also stated that the Los Angeles wildfires were “caused by climate change” on January 30. California Senator Alex Padilla echoed this sentiment a few days earlier. Furthermore, Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse criticized President Trump over the issue of fires and climate change.
The White House, on January 10, expressed satisfaction with Time magazine for condemning Trump’s misinformation on climate change, which they argued had stemmed from years of misleading information about fossil fuels.
California Congressman Jared Huffman emphasized the need for immediate aid for those affected, stating, “Once relief is secured, it’s time to demand real action.” He insisted that the Republican majority could no longer turn a blind eye to the climate crisis.
Meanwhile, Democratic Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles and Governor Gavin Newsom described the situation as “unprecedented.” Newsom stressed in January that “climate change is here and it’s real,” labeling the fires as a “natural disaster.”
A spokesperson from Newsom’s office later mentioned that “two things can be true: wildfires were started by arson and spread by hurricane-force winds strengthened by climate change.”
AM broadcast radio continues to be a critical lifeline for people across the country as climate change continues to cause tragic disasters like the Los Angeles wildfires. That’s why I’m reintroducing AM radio for all vehicle laws.
— Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) January 30, 2025
Experts on emergency management have indicated that the Palisades and Eaton fires were worsened by reservoir issues prior to the incident. It appears that infrastructure problems had been brewing for months.
Edward Ring, who directs water and energy policy at the California Policy Center, voiced concerns that such devastating fires were predictable. He noted, “We’ve ignored our water infrastructure. We’ve mismanaged our forests and chaparral in the name of protecting the environment, and we’re paying the price.”
During this time, Newsom called for an investigation about the failed hydrant infrastructure and the unavailable reservoir.
It’s worth noting that many traditional media outlets were also quick to attribute the damage from the Palisades fire to climate change.
Staff for significant political figures involved did not respond to requests for further comments at the time.
