President Donald Trump signed an executive order that allows the federal government to preempt state and local regulations in the recovery efforts of last year’s Los Angeles wildfires, blaming the destruction and its slow rebuilding on California’s authorities.
“Immediate and decisive federal action is required to ensure that federal disaster assistance is delivered and utilized swiftly, effectively, and without obstruction by state and local governments,” according to the executive order.
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Nearly 40,000 acres were burned in the Eaton and Palisades wildfires last January, killing at least 31 people and destroying 16,000 structures. Estimates of economic and property losses range as high as $131 billion.
The order once again pits Trump against California Governor Gavin Newsom, a key political rival and potential Democratic candidate for president in 2028. Newsom criticized Trump’s measure, saying “an executive order to rebuild Mars” would be just as useful, in a post on X. The governor said permitting timelines are at least twice as fast as than before the fires.
Newsom and a bipartisan group of California lawmakers have asked for $33.9 billion in federal disaster assistance to help dislocated residents and businesses recover, but the request has stalled in Congress.
“Mr. President, please actually help us,” Newsom said in his X post. “We are begging you.”
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Debris clearance efforts, led by the US Army Corps of Engineers removed hazardous waste from 13,600 parcels while almost 3,000 rebuilding permits have been issued by local city and county agencies, according to a state website tracking progress.
Trump’s order calls for US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to publish proposed regulations to preempt state and local permitting processes within 30 days and final regulations within 90 days.
Financial rather than permitting problems are the biggest barrier to rebuilding, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose district includes the community of Altadena that was destroyed by the Eaton Fire, said in a statement.
“Families lack the capital to kick start or continue their rebuilding plans,” Barger said. “Our county will soon face a mass sheltering crisis as survivors’ insurance and emergency relief funds run out.”
Top photo: Columns amongst the ruins of a home during the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. Photographer: Michael Nigro/Bloomberg.