Inside Trump and DOGE’s chaotic effort to release billions of gallons of California’s water

 

Representatives from the Department of Government Efficiency repeatedly pressured the head of a United States water management agency to open a major California pump system in late January, intending to release a huge amount of water south toward Los Angeles — even though the water would have never made it to the fire-scarred metropolis.

When the acting head of the Bureau of Reclamation did not relent, the DOGE agents flew to California with the goal of turning the pumps on themselves, in what people familiar with the incident characterized as a stunt for a “photo op.”

The account comes from six people with knowledge of the events that took place as President Donald Trump falsely claimed the LA fires were a result of the state’s water policies, and demanded more water be sent south. The people who spoke with CNN were granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about the events. They also feared retaliation from the Trump administration.

In a show of authority that superseded California’s own water policy, Trump ordered the US Army Corps to open two dams in central California, which ultimately flooded farmland in the San Joaquin Valley with 2.2 billion gallons of fresh water. State water experts previously told CNN it was a regrettable waste as farmers look anxiously toward the state’s dry season.

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/07/climate/trump-doge-california-water/index.html

Army Corps knew Trump order would waste California water, memo shows

Army Corps of Engineers colonel responsible for releasing water from two California reservoirs at President Donald Trump’s direction in January knew that it was unlikely to reach the southern part of the state as Trump had promised, according to a memo obtained by the Washington Post.

The agency carried out Trump’s directive, which came in the wake of catastrophic wildfires in Los Angeles County, on short notice on Jan. 30, though it would normally require days to coordinate. A memo written four days after the release, obtained by the Post through a public records request, shows how federal officials rushed ahead with the plan to release irrigation water despite objections from the state’s elected officials and some local farmers.

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/mar/07/army-corps-knew-trump-order-would-waste-california/

On 3/8/2025 at 5:10 PM, gargamon said:

Inside Trump and DOGE’s chaotic effort to release billions of gallons of California’s water

 

Representatives from the Department of Government Efficiency repeatedly pressured the head of a United States water management agency to open a major California pump system in late January, intending to release a huge amount of water south toward Los Angeles — even though the water would have never made it to the fire-scarred metropolis.

When the acting head of the Bureau of Reclamation did not relent, the DOGE agents flew to California with the goal of turning the pumps on themselves, in what people familiar with the incident characterized as a stunt for a “photo op.”

The account comes from six people with knowledge of the events that took place as President Donald Trump falsely claimed the LA fires were a result of the state’s water policies, and demanded more water be sent south. The people who spoke with CNN were granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about the events. They also feared retaliation from the Trump administration.

In a show of authority that superseded California’s own water policy, Trump ordered the US Army Corps to open two dams in central California, which ultimately flooded farmland in the San Joaquin Valley with 2.2 billion gallons of fresh water. State water experts previously told CNN it was a regrettable waste as farmers look anxiously toward the state’s dry season.

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/07/climate/trump-doge-california-water/index.html

Of course they did, CNN says so, the bastion of unbias reportng and truth

What, is it suggested that Trump and Mrs Musk's troubled son's combined knowledge of, experience and expertise in irrigation practices and the management of water resources in California were not up to the task?

 

But Trump had a "massive landslide" and Musk paid an awful lot of money for his job! That alone should make them the bigliest experts!

Anyone got a cup of almond milk I could borrow.

What a waste and an environmental disaster ....those pesky job hunting Chinese at it again Donny !