Fires devastated Los Angeles but Gov. Newsom and Democrats could also get burned | Opinion

As the enormity of the Los Angeles fires becomes clear through the smokey ashen Santa Ana winds, so too is the reality for Sacramento politicians that the old playbook of fighting President-elect Donald Trump isn’t going to work.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signaled he understood this by expanding a special legislative session to “Trump-proof” California from the president-elect to include $2.5 billion for the fire disaster. This signified an important change in tactics and strategy that could redefine the approach of California Democrats to Donald Trump, who will be sworn in as president on Monday.

It was a wise move because even before last week’s destruction, the political winds of change fiercely blew through the Capitol. November’s elections created a trifecta of political outcomes that made it obvious there is a deep problem with the status quo. The relatively weak showing of California’s favorite daughter, outgoing Vice President Kamala Harris, in her home state, Trump’s popular vote and electoral college victory, and the significant loss of working-class Latino voters all undermined California’s hand as a bulwark against the new president.

But it was the extraordinary destruction of the fires that signified a fundamental shift in the sensibilities of Californians. The Democrats must heed this shift and change their approach to protecting the state.

The underlying movement in voting behavior is a strong sense that things in California aren’t working.

The years-long problem of homeless people on the streets has been a daily reminder that our government is incapable of solving the most basic of its obligations. Moreover, it’s a tired song from the supermajorities of California Democrats that they are working to address housing affordability when it’s evident that they’re either not or failing miserably. Or maybe it’s acquiescence to the fact that the majority party thinks things like poverty live on in perpetuity, as former Gov. Jerry Brown casually commented on stage at a December Public Policy Institute of California event - a sentiment he also conveyed while he was the governor.

The political attacks on the state, Newsom and Los Angeles’ Mayor Karen Bass have largely been irresponsible and dangerously false. The concerted disinformation campaign, the immediate instinct to attack amid human tragedy and corrosive personalized attacks on state leaders are beyond abhorrent - and should be roundly denounced by everyone in public life.

It is reasonable to believe that these historic fires resulted from climate change and government mistakes because they are both true.

The sobering reality for our political class is that disinformation finds its most fertile soil with some basis for it to take root.

Californians have not felt good about the direction of the state for some time now. Our government, at every level, has a trust and confidence problem that the incoming administration in Washington, D.C. is more than willing to exploit.

The delivery of services has become a real concern for most and at the same time are seeing with their own eyes the government’s inability to handle the basics. To be sure, affordability, homelessness, the economy, and concerns about crime had nothing to do with the fires that wreaked havoc on our neighbors. But they have everything to do with corroding confidence in government, particularly as these problems have been languishing for some time. It is precisely that trust in institutions that is required to combat misinformation. Giving people a reason to trust would go much much farther than convening a special session of the Legislature to Trump-proof” California.

On a positive note, Newsom should be commended for signing an executive order that waives environmental requirements so that Los Angeles can rebuild faster. He has also asked the Legislature to approve $2.5 billion in aid to Los Angeles. Republicans, for their part, have an opportunity to be relevant after 30 years of being marginalized because they have not been serious about governing. This too can be a generational moment for them at a time when the people of California may finally be willing to listen to them. It’s time they were welcomed to be productive partners and offer assistance and solutions to Californians if they were willing.

Meanwhile, Democrats must recognize that their lack of will to tackle the issues voters most care about, exacerbated by the harmful monoculture of a one-party state, has contributed to the roiling sense of frustration that must no longer be ignored.

This story was originally published January 16, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Fires devastated Los Angeles but Gov. Newsom and Democrats could also get burned | Opinion."