California Gov. Gavin Newsom has expanded the focus of a special session he called to pass legislation safeguarding the state's progressive policies ahead of Republican President-elect Donald Trump's return to office.

It is the strongest response Newsom has made so far in the week since the fires first erupted in the Los Angeles area.

New York Post columnist Karol Markowicz has labelled California Governor Gavin Newsom as “incompetent” after he deflected responsibility over the LA wildfires.

As wildfires caused at least two dozen deaths and billions of dollars in damages, some social media users accused California Gov. Gavin Newsom of slashing money to prevent fires. Many posts including by Fox News stated Newsom cut about $100 million in fire prevention from the state’s budget months before the Los Angeles fires.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has only expanded the size and scope of California government during his tenure, while Trump plans radical federal cuts.