President Donald Trump is asserting more federal government control over water management decisions in California and ordering US officials to override local authorities, casting the steps as necessary to boost the state’s firefighting capabilities.

The president, who has assailed California’s leaders over wildfires, issued the directive in an executive order that was dated Friday but released on Sunday.

Trump has falsely claimed that Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom and other officials refused to provide water from the northern part of the state to fight the fires.

U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order Sunday directing federal agencies to override Californias water management practices if deemed ineffective. This decision follows Trumps visit to Los Angeles,