California Governor Gavin Newsom has publicly embraced a wildfire prevention strategy long mocked by Democrats, adopting President Donald Trump’s “rake the forest” approach under a new slogan: “Make America Rake Again.” The announcement, made during a press conference Tuesday in Placer County, marks a shift in Newsom’s wildfire messaging after years of criticism over his handling of the state’s devastating fire seasons.
Wildfires have burned millions of acres in California since Newsom took office, with state responses frequently criticized for lack of urgency and failed promises. In 2020, Newsom ridiculed President Trump’s suggestion to rake forests to remove dry brush and deadwood that fuel fires. Appearing on national television, Newsom dismissed the idea outright, saying, “We have no raking policy.”
Now, facing renewed wildfire threats and speculation over a potential presidential bid, Newsom is repackaging the very plan he once scorned. At the press conference, he claimed that California is taking proactive steps to manage wildfire risk, stating the state is overseeing 2,200 vegetation management projects and spending $350 million on clearing brush—much of it on federal land.
While adopting Trump’s slogan, Newsom attempted to deflect blame to Washington, arguing that California controls only 3% of the state’s land, compared to 57% under federal management. He pointed to recent fires that began on federal land, though he avoided addressing major fires on state-controlled land, including the destructive Los Angeles fires earlier this year.
Newsom also called on the federal government to increase funding, claiming recent cuts have left states like California without sufficient support. “The president of the United States needs to do more to back up his rhetoric with investments and resources,” Newsom said.
Despite the new slogan, Newsom continued to mock President Trump, implying the president lacks understanding of forest management. “He quite literally thinks you should just go out and rake the forest,” Newsom said.
The governor’s announcement came one day after signing a $322 billion state budget and as he seeks $40 billion in federal aid for Los Angeles wildfire recovery. Meanwhile, the same budget dedicates $50 million to legal battles against the Trump administration over immigration and other policies, raising questions about California’s fiscal priorities.
During previous wildfire emergencies, such as the Palisades Fire, Newsom offered little in terms of solutions. When confronted about dry fire hydrants during a CNN interview, he responded by urging locals to “figure that out,” providing no state-level plan to address the issue.
As wildfires continue to threaten lives and property across the state, the governor’s pivot toward Trump’s wildfire strategy highlights both the pressure on his administration and the irony of adopting policies he once publicly ridiculed.
