House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) shamed California Governor Gavin Newsom after the governor posted a video attacking the Republican speaker over potential federal aid California may receive.
“Instead of making highly produced clap back videos with social media influencers, you should get to work helping Californians,” Johnson replied to Newsom on X. “You’re the leader of a state in crisis, and you should finally start acting like it.”
The comment came in reply to a video Newsom had posted in an attempt to embarrass Johnson and other congressional Republicans. GOP lawmakers have floated conditional aid for California to help cover the cost of recent wildfires that have destroyed thousands of homes. The conditions would mandate some improvements to California wildfire preparedness, such as cleaning out dead brush in high-risk areas and building more water infrastructure.
“Never in California questioned whether or not we as taxpayers in the largest state in the Union should support the people of Louisiana at a time of emergency and need. We never conditioned it,” Newsom says in the video.
“A state with millions and millions of Trump supporters, Speaker Johnson and Mr. President-elect. Millions of your supporters are out here. They need your help. They need your empathy. They need your care, whatever compassion you can express as opposed to condemnation,” he says.
While Trump and Johnson have not condemned Californians over the deadly Los Angeles County fires, they have been critical of state and local officials for the failure to protect Los Angeles communities from the wildfires.