Trump signs executive on L.A.-area wildfire reconstruction

LOS ANGELES (KESQ) - A new executive order from President Trump that was signed on Friday aims to "cut through bureaucratic red tape and speed up reconstruction in the Pacific Palisades and Eaton Canyon areas one year after devastating wildfires destroyed nearly 40,000 acres of homes and businesses," according to the White House.

The president has blamed Democratic political figures for the slow pace of rebuilding.

"American families and small businesses affected by the wildfires have been forced to continue living in a nightmare of delay, uncertainty, and bureaucratic malaise as they remain displaced from their homes, often without a source of income, while state and local governments delay or prevent reconstruction by approving only a fraction of the permits needed to rebuild,'' Trump wrote in his order, which was signed Friday.   

It is not clear what effect, if any, Trump's latest executive order will have on the pace of rebuilding. Some property owners have complained that they need more government assistance and streamlined or suspended regulations in order to rebuild.

Watch: One Year Later: Eaton Fire survivors speak out

Others say the settlements offered by Southern California Edison and their private insurance carriers are insufficient.

On social media, Gov. Gavin Newsom described Trump's action as a "useless executive order,'' and urged the president to deliver $34 billion in wildfire disaster aid to California.

"It's been over a year and he (Trump) has refused to help the American people,'' Newsom wrote. ``Disgusting.''   

Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Sherman Oaks, who represents Pacific Palisades, echoed Newsom's sentiments. The congressman told City News Service that Trump's action was a ``bunch of lies masquerading as something to be helpful.''   

Sherman said Pacific Palisades and Altadena, as well as Texas and Florida, need a supplemental appropriation to help people who are victims of disasters in 2025.   

"Trump is blocking all of that,'' he alleged.   

Sherman said Trump's executive order starts by attacking the Biden administration for not conducting debris removal, attacks firefighters for not putting out the flames, and then purports to waive building requirements.   

Sherman told CNS the order was a bad idea.   

"It's obviously unconstitutional, and thank God because the state has a building code for high fire areas. It requires resiliency, and if we were to waive that and rebuild the Palisades according to 20th century rules, we would be creating a tinderbox,'' Sherman said.

Sherman noted Newsom has requested well over $30 billion from the federal government to support fire recovery.   

"I should point out that pursuant to what Biden put in place, California has gotten $7 billion, we'll be getting more. Well over half the cost of rebuilding Palisades High School is going to come from federal programs that were funded and put into action by Biden,'' Sherman said.

"I will give Trump this. He hasn't obstructed that process. But whenever we have huge disasters, we need a supplemental appropriation,'' Sherman added.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents the Altadena area impacted by the Eaton Fire, issued her own statement on the Trump administration's order on wildfire rebuilding. Barger is the only Republican on the Board of Supervisors.

"I welcome any effort to responsibly accelerate rebuilding,'' Barger said.  

Los Angeles County implemented a self-certification process to expedite rebuilding, and streamlined approvals for modular, factory-built homes and pre-approved plans.

According to Barger's office, permits spend just over 30 business days with the county, with additional delays stemming from complex multi-party work of architects, engineers and builders.

"I appreciate the administration's acknowledgement of the important role FEMA plays in disaster recovery. The most urgent need in the Altadena region is financially driven. Families lack the capital to kick start or continue their rebuilding plans. Our county will soon face a mass sheltering crisis as survivor's insurance and emergency relief funds run out,'' Barger said.

The supervisor said she was hopeful the federal government will collaborate with the county to implement a mass housing and sheltering program and offer long-term disaster aid such as Community Development Block Grant- Disaster Recovery funds.

"All survivors deserve full support from all levels of government so they have a fair shot at rebuilding their lives,'' Barger said in her statement.

Los Angeles City Councilwoman Traci Park urged the federal government to close insurance gaps, repair critical infrastructure and help speed the debris removal process.

"Dangling SBA loans and hazard mitigation funding in front of victims while summarily denying FEMA claims and other support to municipalities behind the scenes is subterfuge, not support,'' Park said in a statement.   

"The city can only approve permits that have been submitted and the reality is that many disaster victims are still not ready to move forward with their rebuilds,'' Park added.