President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to override state and local permitting barriers that the administration says have stalled rebuilding efforts in Los Angeles neighborhoods devastated by wildfires a year ago, the White House reported Tuesday.
The order targets reconstruction delays in the Pacific Palisades and Eaton Canyon areas, where thousands of homes and businesses were destroyed in fires that burned nearly 40,000 acres.
The White House places responsibility on California and Los Angeles officials for failing to prevent the fires, respond effectively once they began, and allow rebuilding to proceed.
In the order, Trump said state and local governments failed to maintain forests, water infrastructure, and evacuation systems, then imposed "overly burdensome, confusing, and inconsistent permitting requirements" that have prevented residents from rebuilding despite the availability of federal aid.
The administration contrasted its actions with those of former President Joe Biden, saying debris removal did not begin until Trump took office and issued an emergency order in January 2025.
According to the White House, the federal government cleared more than 9,500 properties and removed 2.6 million tons of debris in six months.
Under the new order, the Department of Homeland Security, acting through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Small Business Administration are directed to consider regulations that would preempt state and local permitting requirements found to impede the use of federal disaster funds.
In place of local approvals, builders could be required to self-certify compliance with health and safety standards to federal officials.
Proposed regulations must be published within 30 days, with final rules issued within 90 days.
The order also directs federal agencies to expedite environmental, historic preservation, and natural resource reviews, including those required under the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act, to speed reconstruction while maintaining public safety standards.
Trump further ordered FEMA to review and audit nearly $3 billion in unspent Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds awarded to California.
The audit will examine whether projects were completed on time, whether funds were used as approved, and whether they reduced wildfire risks.
Depending on the findings, FEMA may impose future grant conditions or seek to recover misused funds.
The administration said the actions are necessary to ensure federal disaster assistance is delivered "swiftly, effectively, and without obstruction" when state and local governments fail to enable recovery.
The order does not create new legal rights and will be implemented subject to existing law and available appropriations.
The order was signed by Trump on Jan. 23, the announcement states.
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