Padilla Questions Defense Secretary Hegseth on Trump’s Purported Military Action to “Turn On” California Water
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) requested Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth clarify President Trump’s January 27th Truth Social post, which claimed that the U.S. military “entered” California and “turned on the water” flowing from Northern California to other parts of the state.
Even though California is delivering as much water to farms and cities as during the previous Trump Administration, the President claimed that he used his “Emergency Powers” as Commander-in-Chief to send the military to California to turn on the water. Contrary to misinformation circulated by President Trump, Southern California has record water storage on hand. Senator Padilla has pushed back against dangerous misinformation about the state’s water supply, which Trump is attempting to leverage to withhold disaster aid.
After President Trump was sworn in, federal pumping of water was briefly reduced due to outages for maintenance, which have since been restored to prior pumping levels.
“Clarity and transparency on these matters are crucial to ensure that the public is properly informed and that any actions comply with federal laws governing the use of the U.S. military within the United States,” wrote Senator Padilla.
Padilla asked Secretary Hegseth the following five clarifying questions in response to Trump’s post:
1. Which units of the U.S. Armed Forces have been assigned to this mission?
2. Specifically, where in California were they deployed? Please name the specific cities that were “entered” by U.S. Armed Forces, and the names and ownership of any facilities where troops were assigned.
3. When the President says members of the military “TURNED ON THE WATER,” what specific actions did U.S. servicemembers undertake to accomplish this mission?
4. To which specific “Emergency Powers” is the President referring to justify this mission?
5. Compared to the week of January 13, 2025, how much more water is now flowing through the federal pumps?
Full text of the letter is available here and below:
Dear Secretary Hegseth,
I write regarding President Trump’s January 27th post on Truth Social in which he wrote, “The United States Military just entered the Great State of California and, under Emergency Powers, TURNED ON THE WATER flowing abundantly from the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. The days of putting a Fake Environmental argument, over the PEOPLE, are OVER. Enjoy the water, California!!!”
Given this statement from the President and Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Armed Forces, I ask that you respond in writing to the following questions:
1. Which units of the U.S. Armed Forces have been assigned to this mission?
2. Specifically, where in California were they deployed? Please name the specific cities that were “entered” by U.S. Armed Forces, and the names and ownership of any facilities where troops were assigned.
3. When the President says members of the military “TURNED ON THE WATER,” what specific actions did U.S. servicemembers undertake to accomplish this mission?
4. To which specific “Emergency Powers” is the President referring to justify this mission?
5. Compared to the week of January 13, 2025, how much more water is now flowing through the federal pumps?
Clarity and transparency on these matters are crucial to ensure that the public is properly informed and that any actions comply with federal laws governing the use of the U.S. military within the United States.
I look forward to your prompt response to these questions.
Sincerely,