During a press conference in Fletcher, North Carolina, on Tuesday, President Donald Trump outlined two key conditions for California to receive federal assistance, emphasizing the importance of voter ID laws and addressing the state’s water management issues.

The announcement came as Trump prepared to travel to Los Angeles to assess the damage caused by the state’s historic wildfires.

Speaking to reporters at the Asheville Regional Airport, Trump responded to a question about whether he would withhold federal funding from Los Angeles due to its sanctuary city policies.

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The president used the opportunity to outline his broader requirements for federal aid to California, extending beyond wildfire assistance.

“I want to see two things in Los Angeles,” Trump stated. “Voter ID, so the people have a chance to vote, and I want to see the water be released and have a chance to come down into Los Angeles and throughout the state.”

Trump elaborated on the water issue, emphasizing its impact on both urban areas like Los Angeles and California’s vast agricultural regions.

“I want the water to come down to Los Angeles and also go out to all the barren and dry farmland,” he said.

Trump clarified that his conditions would apply to the entire state of California, not just Los Angeles.

He called for voter ID laws to ensure proof of citizenship and to enable what he described as “one-day voting,” a reference to election reforms aimed at streamlining the voting process and enhancing election security.

“So I want two things,” Trump said. “Voter ID for the people of California. Right now, you don’t have Voter Identification; you want to have proof of citizenship, and ideally, you want one-day voting.”

The president also stressed the need to address California’s water management practices, calling for the release of water to benefit residents and farmland.

He highlighted the state’s struggles with water shortages and criticized local and state government policies for exacerbating the problem.

“And I want the water to be released,” Trump reiterated. “And they’ll get a lot of help from the U.S.”

Trump’s trip to California follows his visit to North Carolina, where he surveyed the damage caused by Hurricane Helene.

The president criticized the previous Democratic administration for neglecting disaster preparedness and recovery efforts in the region.

In Los Angeles, Trump is expected to meet with local officials and first responders to address the impact of the wildfires that have devastated parts of the city.

The fires, which have drawn national attention, have been linked to what critics describe as poor forest management and water resource policies.

Trump’s comments reflect his administration’s ongoing efforts to tie federal assistance to policy changes at the state and local levels.

His emphasis on voter ID laws and water management aligns with broader Republican priorities aimed at improving election security and addressing environmental and agricultural challenges.

The president ended his remarks by expressing optimism about working with California if the state meets his proposed conditions.

“After that, I will be the greatest president California has ever seen,” Trump said.

BREAKING: President Trump lays out two conditions for federal aid to California:

1) Voter ID
2) Let the water flow

“Voter ID for the people of California, [and] the water to be released. And they’ll get a lot of help from the U.S.” pic.twitter.com/lWFDMujOLW

— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) January 24, 2025

As Trump prepares to meet with California officials, his comments signal a clear message: federal assistance will be contingent on the state addressing critical issues related to election integrity and water resource management.

The administration’s stance shines light on the importance of policy reforms in tackling the challenges facing the nation’s most populous state.

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