Democratic Representative Maxine Waters, representing the Los Angeles area, asserted in a NewsNation interview on Friday that her call for increased taxes on the wealthy in response to the devastating wildfires affecting the region is not a political maneuver.
During an interview with host Chris Cuomo, Waters, a multimillionaire herself, justified the expenses associated with combating the wildfires by stating that “services cost money,” despite the fact that the residents of her city and the state of California already bear some of the highest tax burdens in the nation.
I do not engage in assigning blame. I am not interested in discussing whether Governor Gavin Newsom (D) is attempting to safeguard his position and pursue a presidential run; none of that concerns me,” Waters stated to Cuomo.
It is essential to recognize that services incur costs, and we must ensure that the wealthiest individuals in this nation, specifically the top 1% who are currently shielded, contribute their fair share of taxes. This will enable us to secure the necessary funds to deliver these services.
Given the available funds and resources, those appointed or elected to fulfill the responsibilities must carry out their duties. The political affiliation of the individual—be it Democrat, Republican, or otherwise—does not concern me. What truly matters is that we should all feel a profound sense of sorrow at this moment, yet we must maintain our faith and remain vigilant in our efforts to assist those in need.
Please, you may address the political matters at a later time. Discussions regarding Gavin Newsom and the Democrats can also be postponed for now, as she emphasized.
Based on IRS statistics, the top 1 percent of income earners contribute approximately 41 percent of the total federal income tax revenue.
According to a report by CBS Austin in October, the wealthiest 5% contribute over 65% of federal income taxes, while the top 10% account for 75%, and the top 25% are responsible for 89%. In contrast, the lower half of earners, those making less than $46,627 annually, contribute only 2% of federal personal income tax.
At the same time, Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, a former U.S. congresswoman, are facing criticism for a number of shortcomings that detractors argue have intensified the destruction and loss of life.
On Sunday, Vice President-elect JD Vance criticized misleading assertions regarding the new administration’s intention to deny emergency wildfire assistance, following anchor Shannon Bream’s inquiry about the president-elect’s statements made during a press conference in Los Angeles in September 2024.
Trump remarked regarding Newsom, “We will not provide him with funds to extinguish all his issues. If we refrain from offering him the necessary financial support, he will face significant challenges.”
In response to Bream’s inquiry about Trump’s intentions, Vance stated that the goal is to enhance the efficiency of federal aid distribution and utilization. He emphasized, ‘President Trump is concerned about the welfare of all Americans; he serves as the president for everyone. I believe he aims to improve FEMA and other federal responses to be more effective and better informed about the situations on the ground.’
In response to Newsom’s invitation for Trump to come to his state, Vance remarked, ‘I am certain the president would be eager to visit California’ and expressed that ‘our thoughts are with those impacted by the natural disasters.’
Regardless of one’s political beliefs, it is difficult to view those images without feeling profound sorrow for our fellow Americans enduring such challenging circumstances,” Vance stated.
I believe it is essential for the federal government to improve its performance. President Trump is dedicated to enhancing disaster relief efforts, which applies to the victims of hurricanes and floods in North Carolina as well as those affected by fires in California. We must strive for better outcomes and ensure effective governance, as emphasized by Vance.
Vance stated that Trump retains the ability to critique Newsom for what he perceives as numerous poor decisions made over an extended duration.
