Statement from CPF President Brian K. Rice on Former President Trump's Threat to Withhold Federal Firefighter Aid

Former President Trump should be ashamed for threatening to withhold federal firefighting aid from California should he be elected. As of today, thousands of firefighters are on the front lines responding to wildfires throughout the state, and countless Californians are in harm’s way as they heed evacuation orders. Nevertheless, former President Trump expressed that he would play with their lives and their homes if he doesn’t get what he wants. He would rather watch our state burn in the name of his political games, than to send help if he were to become president again.

Not much has changed since 2018 when he expressed a similar sentiment during the Camp Fire, California’s deadliest wildfire in which 85 people lost their lives. It is shocking that we have a presidential candidate who is threatening our public safety and doesn’t even care what the consequences are to firefighters and the public. This has now become a serious public safety issue for our members and the public we serve. His rhetoric is dangerous, his ideas on public safety are dangerous, and his ignorant rhetoric has grown exponentially. It is a disgrace to our great nation and to every Californian that this man has a platform to threaten our livelihoods, safety, families and our state.

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California Professional Firefighters is the state council of the International Association of Fire Fighters, representing 35,000 career firefighters and emergency medical service personnel.