SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Former President Donald Trump announced on social media that the United States military has “turned on the water” in California by using emergency powers to redirect water supplies from the Pacific Northwest. Trump’s statement, posted Saturday, offered no further details about the claim, which state or federal agencies have not corroborated.
In his post, Trump criticized environmental regulations, calling them “fake” and suggesting they had prioritized ecological concerns over access to water. “The days of putting a Fake Environmental argument over the PEOPLE are OVER. Enjoy the water, California!!!” he wrote.
California’s water supply has long been controversial, with debates surrounding environmental conservation, agriculture, and urban water needs. State officials and water authorities have not confirmed any military involvement or significant changes to water management policies.
The California DWR replied to Trump’s post saying, “The federal government restarted federal water pumps after they were offline for maintenance for three days. State water supplies in Southern California remain plentiful.”
The claim comes amid ongoing drought concerns in parts of California and increasing focus on the state’s water infrastructure. Environmental groups have historically opposed large-scale water diversion efforts, citing ecological impacts on waterways and wildlife.