President Trump announced an executive order to help people rebuild after the Los Angeles wildfires. The order aims to cut through what he calls “needless, duplicative, or obstructive” permitting rules.
The order is likely to face legal challenges from the city and state. It claims local governments haven’t processed permits quickly enough, delaying residents who want to rebuild in Pacific Palisades and Altadena.
“American families and small businesses affected by the wildfires have been forced to continue living in a nightmare of delay, uncertainty, and bureaucratic problems as they remain displaced from their homes, often without income, while state and local governments delay or prevent rebuilding by approving only a fraction of the permits needed,” Trump wrote in the order, which he signed Friday.
California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass strongly criticized the action, calling it a “meaningless political stunt” meant to distract from other issues.
“The President doesn’t have authority over local permitting. He could actually help by providing FEMA funding we’ve asked for, speeding up FEMA reimbursements, and regulating industries he can impact,” Bass said in a statement Tuesday.
The order directs the Homeland Security secretary and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to “preempt” state and local permitting authorities.
Residents using federal emergency funds to rebuild would self-certify to federal authorities that they meet local health and safety standards, instead of going through the usual approval process.
The number of rebuilding permits issued in the city and county is approaching 3,000.
A December review by the Los Angeles Times found that rebuilding in Altadena and Pacific Palisades was happening at a moderate rate compared to other major California fires.As of December 14, the county issued permits for about 16% of homes destroyed in the eaton fire, and the city issued permits for just under 14% of those destroyed in the Palisades fire.
Newsom spokesperson Tara Gallegos criticized Trump, saying he doesn’t understand that the federal government can’t issue local rebuilding permits.
“With 1625+ home permits issued, hundreds of homes under construction, and permitting timelines at least 2x faster than before the fires, an exe”
