SHOT/CHASER: As Trump’s Cuts Make It Harder to Fight Wildfires, Top Trump Official Requested More Resources to Fight Fire Near His Home

Washington, DC – As wildfires become more frequent and severe across the country, Trump’s cuts to the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) are making it harder to fight them. Staff and resources are stretched dangerously thin, leaving communities without the support they need to combat wildfires — unless you work for the Trump administration. Last month, a top Trump official who oversees the USFS requested additional resources to combat a small fire near his 480-acre ranch in Idaho — forcing a greater response than what is typically required for a fire of that size. 

Trump is gutting the USFS — weakening the federal government’s ability to properly mitigate, manage, and respond to wildfires at a moment when the risks are higher than ever. In 2025, the USFS lost thousands of staff because of Trump’s cuts, causing the administration to fall behind on critical wildfire prevention efforts. While Trump officials can apparently make a call to get the help they need during a wildfire, American families don’t have the same luxury and are being hung out to dry.

SHOT: The New York Times: Federal Job Cuts Are Making Wildfires Harder to Fight

CHASER: The Washington Post: Top Trump official asked for more aircraft to fight a small fire near his Idaho ranch