President Trump just bypassed California’s red tape with an executive order that could let builders self-certify fire-ravaged homes back to life overnight.
Story Snapshot
- Trump signs order on January 27, 2026, directing FEMA and SBA to preempt local permitting for 2025 Palisades and Eaton wildfire rebuilds.
- Fires destroyed 16,000 structures across 40,000 acres; only 14-16% permitted by late 2025, just 7 rebuilt by early January.
- Federal move slams state bureaucracy as a “national disgrace,” allows self-certification to speed recovery.
- Newsom fires back, calls it useless and demands federal funds instead; lawsuits loom over federal overreach.
- Unprecedented clash escalates Trump-Newsom feud, with billions in aid already flowing but underused.
Wildfires Ravage Los Angeles in Late 2025
Palisades and Eaton wildfires erupted in late 2025, scorching 40,000 acres in Pacific Palisades, Altadena, and nearby areas. These blazes destroyed approximately 16,000 homes and businesses in affluent coastal and foothill neighborhoods. Dry conditions and high winds fueled the devastation, echoing patterns from the 2018 Woolsey Fire where rebuilds dragged on for years. Local after-action reports admitted pre-fire prevention failures. Displaced residents faced immediate hardships, including school disruptions like the damaged Palisades charter, reopened temporarily with portable classrooms after toxin testing.
Trump’s Executive Order Targets Bureaucratic Delays
President Donald Trump signed the executive order “Addressing State and Local Failures to Rebuild Los Angeles After Wildfire Disasters” on January 27, 2026. The order directs FEMA and the Small Business Administration to preempt state and local permitting processes deemed unnecessary or obstructive. Builders gain authority to self-certify compliance with health and safety standards. Federal agencies must also audit relief funds and pursue legislation for faster aid. This follows $3.2 billion in SBA loans and EPA cleanup led by Administrator Lee Zeldin.
Key Players Clash Over Recovery Pace
SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler labeled California’s recovery a “national disgrace,” citing only seven structures built county-wide by early January despite surging federal aid. Governor Gavin Newsom defended state efforts, noting permitting doubled pre-fire speed with over 1,625 LA city approvals and hundreds under construction. Mayor Karen Bass oversees local permits totaling around 3,000 city and county-wide. Resident advocate Maryam Zar of the Palisades Recovery Coalition called the pace “slow and unacceptable” but prioritized funding and insurance over permits. Bipartisan legislators requested more federal money on January 7.
Newsom and Trump Exchange Sharp Barbs
Newsom dismissed Trump’s order as coming from a “clueless idiot,” insisting money remains the main obstacle and begging for fund releases. Trump blamed “bureaucratic malaise” for virtually zero rebuilds. Loeffler expressed devastation at the delays under Democratic leadership. State claims contrast federal assertions: locals report 2,000 approvals and 4,700 applications pending, while early December stats showed under 16% permitted. Southern California Edison and insurers face criticism for insufficient settlements complicating recovery.
Potential Lawsuits and Broader Ramifications
Legal challenges from California cities and state appear inevitable, questioning federal preemption of local zoning authority. Short-term, self-certification could accelerate rebuilds if upheld, easing displacement nightmares for Pacific Palisades and Altadena families. Long-term, success sets precedent for national disaster policy, challenging local control and insurer liability norms. Economic recovery hinges on utilizing underused loans; politically, it intensifies Trump-Newsom rivalry amid resident support for federal intervention. Common sense favors cutting red tape to restore lives faster, aligning with conservative values of efficiency over endless bureaucracy.
