Trump Team Arrives in LA to Help Pacific Palisades Rebuild After Wildfires

Federal officials to meet with community leaders after city and state 'abandoned' residents during disaster

Feb. 3, 2026 at 10:15pm

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A fed-up Pacific Palisades community advocate said she was overjoyed that residents will finally be heard at a closed-door meeting with federal officials, including EPA administrator Lee Zeldin, as she blasted state and local officials who 'let us burn' during last year's deadly wildfires. The Trump administration has stepped in to fast-track rebuilding efforts after less than 15% of destroyed homes have received necessary approvals to move forward.

Why it matters

The devastating wildfires in Los Angeles last year caused over $150 billion in damages and left thousands displaced, but local and state leaders have been slow to provide support and approvals for rebuilding. The federal government's intervention aims to cut through bureaucratic red tape and give a voice to impacted residents who feel abandoned by their elected officials.

The details

President Trump signed an executive order to fast-track rebuilding in Los Angeles, appointing EPA administrator Lee Zeldin to meet with community leaders and city officials responsible for the permitting process. Zeldin will also host a roundtable with homeowners and small-business owners impacted by the fires to understand their challenges and help accelerate the rebuilding process.

  • Last year, the wildfires leveled 16,000 homes and businesses, caused $150 billion in damages, and left 12 people dead.
  • Last week, President Trump signed the executive order to fast-track rebuilding in Los Angeles.
  • On Wednesday, Zeldin will meet with Pacific Palisades community leaders and city/county officials.

The players

Jessica Rogers

A Pacific Palisades resident who lost everything when the wildfires engulfed the area, and is now a vocal community leader and mom-of-two.

Lee Zeldin

The EPA administrator appointed by President Trump to hear the needs of the community and cut through the municipal red tape.

Karen Bass

The Mayor of Los Angeles who will meet with Zeldin during his visit.

Kathryn Barger

The LA County Supervisor who will meet with Zeldin during his visit.

Gavin Newsom

The Governor of California who criticized the Trump administration's executive order.

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What they’re saying

“When the federal government says we're sending help, and then we get to meet with Lee Zeldin and tell him what the needs of the community are, it's huge for us.”

— Jessica Rogers, Pacific Palisades resident and community leader (New York Post)

“Our goal is not only to listen and fully understand their challenges, but to help them move forward as rapidly as possible.”

— Lee Zeldin, EPA Administrator (New York Post)

“Newsom is demanding an astronomically large, aspirational sum of federal taxpayer dollars that clearly extends far beyond any common-sense smell test. President Trump has made it clear that his administration will not stand by while non-federal red tape continues to hold back recovery.”

— Lee Zeldin, EPA Administrator (New York Post)

What’s next

During his visit, Zeldin will also meet with Mayor Karen Bass, LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger and other city officials responsible for the permitting process. Zeldin will be accompanied by Kelly Loeffler, the administrator of the US Small Business Administration, and the two will host a roundtable with homeowners and small-business owners impacted by the fires.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the frustration felt by residents in Pacific Palisades who believe their local and state leaders failed to adequately support them in the aftermath of the devastating wildfires. The federal government's intervention aims to give a voice to these impacted communities and accelerate the rebuilding process that has stalled under bureaucratic red tape.