US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at speeding up the rebuilding of homes destroyed by last year's devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. The move is intended to cut through bureaucratic red tape and allow homeowners to rebuild without having to navigate "unnecessary, duplicative or obstructive" permitting requirements.
Under the order, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) are tasked with finding ways to issue regulations that will preempt state and local rules for obtaining permits. This would enable builders to self-certify that they have complied with "substantive health, safety and building standards".
However, it remains unclear what power the federal government actually wields over local and state permitting processes. California Governor Gavin Newsom has expressed skepticism about the order's effectiveness, urging Trump to focus on approving the state's $33.9 billion disaster aid request instead.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has also criticized Trump's move as a "political stunt", calling for him to prioritize speeding up Fema reimbursements and addressing insurance payouts and construction costs, which she says are major obstacles to rebuilding for many survivors.
The wildfires, which burned in January 2025, killed 31 people and destroyed over 13,000 homes across the Palisades, Malibu, Altadena, and Pasadena communities. Despite the devastating damage, fewer than a dozen homes have been rebuilt so far, with many more projects stalled due to permitting delays.
The order also includes a directive for Fema's acting administrator to audit California's use of Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding, which enables states to build back with greater resilience. The audit must be completed within 60 days, after which the secretary of homeland security will determine whether any conditions should be put on future funding or if recovery actions should take place.
As one year after the disaster passes, survivors are growing increasingly frustrated with the slow pace of rebuilding. Many have cited financial constraints as a major obstacle, particularly when it comes to insurance payouts and construction costs.
Under the order, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) are tasked with finding ways to issue regulations that will preempt state and local rules for obtaining permits. This would enable builders to self-certify that they have complied with "substantive health, safety and building standards".
However, it remains unclear what power the federal government actually wields over local and state permitting processes. California Governor Gavin Newsom has expressed skepticism about the order's effectiveness, urging Trump to focus on approving the state's $33.9 billion disaster aid request instead.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has also criticized Trump's move as a "political stunt", calling for him to prioritize speeding up Fema reimbursements and addressing insurance payouts and construction costs, which she says are major obstacles to rebuilding for many survivors.
The wildfires, which burned in January 2025, killed 31 people and destroyed over 13,000 homes across the Palisades, Malibu, Altadena, and Pasadena communities. Despite the devastating damage, fewer than a dozen homes have been rebuilt so far, with many more projects stalled due to permitting delays.
The order also includes a directive for Fema's acting administrator to audit California's use of Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding, which enables states to build back with greater resilience. The audit must be completed within 60 days, after which the secretary of homeland security will determine whether any conditions should be put on future funding or if recovery actions should take place.
As one year after the disaster passes, survivors are growing increasingly frustrated with the slow pace of rebuilding. Many have cited financial constraints as a major obstacle, particularly when it comes to insurance payouts and construction costs.
I'm telling ya, something fishy is goin' on here... Trump's executively order sounds like a total bypass of local permits just to get the rebuild done fast, no matter what kinda corners are cut. 
Meanwhile, Bass and Newsom are all about speedin' up Fema reimbursements, but what about makin' sure insurance payouts don't leave people in the hole? That's some suspicious prioritizin' if you ask me... 
like what even is the point of having an executive order if ppl r still stuck on permits lol? idk how much more bureaucratic red tape ppl in LA can take with those wildfires being over a yr ago already 
its not like trump's gonna magically make it happen overnight, but come on, just give the people some hope or somethin 
Trump thinks he can just skip over local rules and regulations like they're nothing? Newsflash, buddy: those rules are in place for a reason! And as for California Governor Gavin Newsom saying the order is a "political stunt"... I'm kinda with him on that one 
. The fact remains, Fema's still not getting aid to homeowners quickly enough, and now Trump wants to speed up permits? That just sounds like more chaos. And what about all those homes that need rebuilding? It's been over a year and only 12 have been rebuilt... meanwhile, insurance payouts are a major issue for survivors 
. And what about all these people who are still waiting on insurance payouts and construction costs? That's what I'd want Trump to tackle ASAP 
... we need to get these people back on their feet, not just speed up the rebuilding process without making sure it's done right 
u guys its like 1 yr after those devastating wildfires in LA & people r still waiting for homes 2 be rebuilt 
️ but seriously, thats not gonna happen w/o proper funding n resources from the gov 
. its not rocket science but apparently, it needs 2 be done w/o all the drama n politics 
