Trump's response to fires in California shows "how much he understands work"

WASHINGTON – California Democratic Representative Adam Schiff has rejected President Trump's response to the Golden State's destructive fires, accusing him of threatening to withhold federal funds for the claims for political reasons.

In an appearance in NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday, Schiff criticized Trump's recent tweets, accusing the devastation of "blatant mismanagement of the forests" and threatening the state with "remedying payments now or more" of the Fed ".

"For the President, at a time when people are facing a total disaster, make a statement like this, make such a threat, just shows how little he understands his work, that it would be punitive to at the same time, rather than coming to the defense of the people facing the worst disaster of their lives, "said Schiff.

The Democratic member of Congress added that he felt the President's motivation and threat was political.

"He is a president who, more than anyone else, is punitive," he said. "It is only the president, in his opinion, of those who voted for him." Schiff added that Trump could not "care less" about the "rest" of the nation.

At least 25 people died Sunday morning as fires continue to ravage northern California, burning more than 100,000 hectares and destroying at least 177 homes, officials said.

While President Trump tweeted his condolences to the victims of the fires, he also blamed these deaths for "mismanagement" and threatened to suspend federal aid.

"There is no reason for these massive, deadly and expensive forest fires in California, if it is that forest management is so bad." Billions of dollars are poured every year, with as much loss of life, all due to poor forest management.Care now, or more payments from the Fed! "Trump tweeted Saturday.

"With proper forest management, we can stop the devastation that is constantly occurring in California – be smart!" he said on Twitter Sunday morning.

His comments sparked criticism from firefighters, including Scott Austin, president of the 809 International Firefighters Association, who responded to Trump's tweet by telling the president that he was "wrong".

Republican Senator of Colorado, Corey Gardner, presented the "thoughts and prayers" of his constituents to the victims of the fires, noting that his condition was regularly threatened by fires.

And he threw cold water on any threat to mobilize federal funds, highlighting a recent congressional remedy that had secured funds for firefighting and fire prevention.

"I do not think it's appropriate to threaten funding. It's not going to happen. Funding will be available. It is always available to our people wherever they are, regardless of the disaster they are facing, "Gardner said.

Ben Kamisar

Ben Kamisar is a political writer for NBC News.