President Trump Issues Executive Order to Accelerate Los Angeles Wildfire Rebuilding
President Donald J. Trump has issued an Executive Order titled "ADDRESSING STATE AND LOCAL FAILURES TO REBUILD LOS ANGELES AFTER WILDFIRE DISASTERS." The order, dated January 23, 2026, aims to expedite federal assistance for rebuilding efforts in wildfire-affected areas of Los Angeles, including the Pacific Palisades and Eaton Canyon.
Rationale for the Order
The Executive Order asserts that California State and Los Angeles city and county governments allegedly failed to contain wildfires that devastated nearly 40,000 acres of homes and businesses a year prior.
These failures were attributed to what the order describes as misguided forest management and climate policies, inadequate water distribution and reservoir maintenance, and ineffective communication and fire containment efforts.
The order also noted Mayor Karen Bass's absence during the crisis. It highlights ongoing delays and bureaucratic obstacles from state and local governments in approving reconstruction permits, which has prevented affected families and businesses from utilizing federal relief funds and rebuilding their communities. The order references Executive Order 14181 of January 24, 2025, which initiated a rapid federal debris removal operation.
Key Policy Directives
The Administration's policy is clear: to ensure that federally funded reconstruction projects for homes and businesses in the affected areas proceed with maximum speed, free from unnecessary or obstructive permitting requirements. Key actions directed by the order include:
The Administration's policy is to ensure that federally funded reconstruction projects for homes and businesses in the affected areas proceed with maximum speed, free from unnecessary or obstructive permitting requirements.
Preempting State Permitting Obstacles
The Secretary of Homeland Security (via FEMA) and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) are directed to consider regulations within 30 days (proposed) and 90 days (final) to:
- Preempt state or local permitting processes found to unduly impede the timely use of federal emergency relief funds.
- Replace preempted requirements with a system where builders self-certify compliance with applicable state and local health and safety standards to a federal designee.
Expediting Federal Response
Relevant executive departments and agencies are instructed to use all available authorities under federal environmental, historic preservation, and natural resource laws. This is to expedite waivers, permits, reviews, consultations, or approvals for rebuilding projects. This process will be limited to the minimum scope and duration necessary, with senior officials designated to ensure timely execution.
Legislative Proposals
FEMA and SBA, in consultation with White House officials, are tasked with submitting legislative proposals within 90 days. These proposals are intended to enable these agencies to address situations where states or local governments hinder timely disaster recovery.
Accountability for Taxpayer Dollars
The Secretary, through FEMA, is mandated to:
- Determine within 30 days if any of the nearly $3 billion in unspent Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding granted to California was awarded arbitrarily or unlawfully.
- Conduct a federal audit within 60 days of California’s use of HMGP funding, assessing project completion, risk reduction, and effectiveness in mitigating future wildfires.
- Make administrative determinations within 30 days post-audit, enforcing findings through grant conditions, recoupment actions, or enhanced oversight to expedite HMGP fund use.
The order states that its implementation will be consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations, and it does not create new rights or benefits.