California State Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D) was left a sputtering mess responding to a reporter demanding to know why Democrats are holding a special legislative session to combat Donald Trump while wildfires are ravaging Los Angeles.
Ashley Zavala, capitol correspondent for KCRA-TV, confronted Rivas on why, despite the devastation, he is going through with a special legislative effort designed to find ways to undercut the incoming president.
“Is now the right time to have a special legislative session on allocating money to fight Trump in a way that you could already do without a special legislative session?” Zavala wondered.
“Um, so I’m, ya know, I’m here t-to address this, this, uh, you know, these, these, these, these… wildfires. This is a historic wildfire,” a flummoxed Rivas replied. “This is a historic event, these wildfires, as I mention, are gonna be quite possibly some of the worst wildfires and disasters in the state and national history.”
Oof. Zavala was undeterred by Rivas’ response. She kept pressing.
“But minutes ago, your House, while this wildfire is happening and while people are trying to understand what’s going on, and are worried about disaster relief, worried about the ability to get homeowners insurance,” she continued, “your chamber gaveled in a special legislative session to prepare for Donald Trump.”
It’s remarkable when it’s said out loud in that manner. California is a hellscape right now, and Assembly Democrats still feel their top priority is to “get Trump.”
Perhaps they should hold a legislative session to figure out why fire hydrants went dry during the Palisade wildfires. Why the LAFD’s budget was reduced by over $17 million. Why the mayor of Los Angeles was in Ghana as the fires raged. Why the emergency alert system caused chaos.
Seems slightly more critical right now.
The wildfires have killed at least 10 people and burned more than 30,000 combined acres. So far.
RedState’s Bob Hoge pointed out that GOP Assemblyman Bill Essayli wrote a letter to California Governor Gavin Newsom suggesting the Assembly should shift its focus to helping wildfire victims.
“Unbelievable,” Hoge writes. “They’re having a legislative session to combat an incoming president who just won all seven swing states, the popular vote, and the electoral vote, and meanwhile, LA is on fire.”
Newsom initially called for the “Fight Trump” special legislative session within hours of the 45th president being announced as the 47th president.
“Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation convening a special session of the California Legislature to safeguard California values and fundamental rights in the face of an incoming Trump administration,” a press release at the time stated. “The special session will focus on bolstering California legal resources to protect civil rights, reproductive freedom, climate action, and immigrant families.”
Rather than fighting Trump, Newsom probably should have listened to him. The president-elect repeatedly advised the Democrat governor to clear out forest floors in an attempt to limit wildfires.
