President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday that allows the federal government to bypass roadblocks imposed by the California government in rebuilding Los Angeles after the Pacific Palisades fire.
In the executive order, Trump placed much of the blame on state and local leadership for failing to act quickly when the fire started and failing to quickly approve permits to rebuild.
The order, titled Addressing State and Local Failures to Rebuild Los Angeles After Wildfire Disasters, directs federal agencies to consider regulations that would preempt local and state permitting processes that have, in the president’s words, “unduly impeded timely use of federal emergency-relief funds” for property owners trying to rebuild.
Trump’s declaration comes nearly a year after a series of destructive wildfires tore through tens of thousands of acres in the region, destroyed thousands of structures, and displaced tens of thousands of residents.
“It is the policy of my Administration that federally funded reconstruction projects for homes and businesses in the wildfire-impacted neighborhoods of the Pacific Palisades and Eaton Canyon areas proceed with the maximum speed consistent with public safety,” the order states.
It also assigned the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration with drafting regulations within 90 days to override local barriers.
The administration argued that state and local red tape has stymied progress in rebuilding.
Trump asserted these delays have left many survivors “displaced from their homes, often without a source of income,” even after federal debris removal and individual aid were largely completed.
A White House fact sheet pointed to permits taking an average of 93 days in the Palisades area and cited permit feeds and environmental reviews as additional obstacles that have slowed reconstruction. It added that less than 10 homes have been rebuilt.
The order also directs federal agencies to expedite federal permitting and waivers under existing environmental and historic preservation laws to accelerate rebuilding while maintaining safety standards.
The executive order follows a broader administration push to challenge California’s regulatory authority, including a recent Department of Justice lawsuit against the state’s Senate Bill 1137.
The DOJ argues that the state law that restricts oil and gas development near “sensitive receptors” is unconstitutional and preempted by federal statutes such as the Mineral Leasing Act.
Trump’s planned override in Los Angeles escalates the flaming feud between Trump and Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA).
Newsom has previously said that Trump “turned his back on LA fire survivors” and has bragged about speedy rebuilding, though there appears to be little to show for it.
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Newsom has been an outspoken critic of federal “overreach” and called the government “unrecognizable.”
The Washington Examiner reached out to Newsom’s office for comment.