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.

The governor lashed back after several Republican leaders said that aid to his state as it deals with deadly wildfires should be conditional.

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

The wildfires ravaging Los Angeles are getting embroiled in politics as Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom’s response and preparations have come under criticism from