Trump's Executive Order to Expedite LA Home Rebuilding Post-Wildfires Provokes Controversy

Thu Jan 29 2026 13:32:55 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

President Trump signs an executive order aimed at fast-tracking the rebuilding of homes affected by the Los Angeles wildfires, but state officials express skepticism and frustration regarding federal oversight.

In response to the destruction caused by the January 2025 wildfires in Los Angeles, President Trump has issued an executive order to expedite the rebuilding process for affected homeowners. The order seeks to simplify permitting and allow builders to self-certify compliance with regulations, but it has faced pushback from California officials who doubt the effectiveness of federal intervention. Governor Gavin Newsom criticized Trump for not approving disaster aid requested by the state and emphasized that local rebuilding efforts are already underway, with over 1,600 permits issued. The complexity of funding and rebuilding hurdles, particularly regarding insurance payouts, remains a significant barrier for survivors attempting to recover.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — In a significant move aimed at addressing the aftermath of the devastating January 2025 wildfires that ravaged homes in the Los Angeles area, President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he has signed an executive order to streamline the rebuilding efforts. The order seeks to eliminate bureaucratic red tape, allowing homeowners quicker access to the necessary rebuilding permits.

The executive order, signed last Friday, aims to help residents rebuild without navigating the 'unnecessary, duplicative, or obstructive' permitting requirements, as stated by the White House.

The order instructs federal agencies, particularly the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration, to create regulations that could override existing state and local permit requirements. Builders would be allowed to 'self-certify' compliance with essential health, safety, and construction standards.

However, California's Governor Gavin Newsom responded to the announcement with skepticism, doubting the feasibility of federal agencies issuing local building permits. He urged Trump to approve California's $33.9 billion disaster relief request, emphasizing that the state has already issued over 1,600 rebuilding permits and is making significant progress in recovery efforts.

Newsom commented on social media, stating that an executive order aimed at rebuilding Mars would be just as impactful, and pleaded for genuine assistance rather than grandstanding.

As of January 7, nearly a year after the fires, fewer than a dozen homes had been reconstructed in Los Angeles, despite around 900 homes being under construction. The fires accounted for the loss of 31 lives and approximately 13,000 homes.

Compounding the difficulties, survivors expressed that the most pressing barrier to rebuilding is financial, with many struggling to secure adequate insurance payouts, which often fall short of actual rebuilding costs.

Moving forward, the executive order instructs Homeland Security and FEMA officials to audit California’s use of Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding. This funding typically plays a crucial role in helping states recover sustainably post-disaster. However, Trump's administration has been criticized for not approving any such funding requests since February.

As the tensions between state and federal authorities grow, the road ahead for Los Angeles fire survivors remains challenging, with many still seeking effective paths to recovery.