Trump Pushes to Federalize L.A. Wildfire Recovery

White House executive order aims to override state and local rebuilding rules

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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The White House has issued an executive order that would shift rebuilding permit authority from state and local governments to the federal government following the January 2025 Palisades and Eaton wildfires in Los Angeles County. The order directs federal agencies to explore regulations that could override California and municipal permitting rules for homes and other structures destroyed in the fires.

Why it matters

This unprecedented federal intervention into disaster recovery has become a flashpoint in the ongoing political battle between President Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom. The move raises concerns over constitutional limits on federal authority over land-use decisions and the potential to disrupt the pace of rebuilding, which officials say is consistent with recovery timelines from other major wildfires in the state.

The details

The executive order signed by President Trump on January 27 directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration to consider allowing builders to self-certify compliance with health and safety regulations to receive federal approval, bypassing the traditional state and local permitting process. The order calls for draft regulations within 30 days and final rules within 90 days.

  • The Palisades and Eaton fires destroyed about 16,000 homes, businesses, and other structures across Pacific Palisades, Altadena, and surrounding areas in January 2025.
  • As of February 2026, roughly 4,700 applications to rebuild have been submitted, with about 2,000 approved so far.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who issued the executive order to federalize the wildfire recovery process in Los Angeles County.

Gavin Newsom

The Governor of California who condemned the executive order as unnecessary and legally questionable.

Karen Bass

The Mayor of Los Angeles who said the White House could speed recovery by approving disaster aid and pushing insurers and lenders to support affected residents.

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What they’re saying

“I want to see if we can take over the city and state and just give the people their permits they want to build.”

— Donald Trump (lafocusnews.com)

“Instead of finally sending to Congress the federal relief Los Angeles needs to rebuild from last year's firestorms, Donald Trump continues to live in fantasy land.”

— Gavin Newsom, Governor of California (lafocusnews.com)

What’s next

The executive order calls for draft regulations within 30 days and final rules within 90 days, setting up a potential legal battle over the federal government's authority to intervene in the local disaster recovery process.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing political tensions between the Trump administration and California officials, with the President seeking to exert federal control over a local disaster recovery effort despite concerns over the legality and potential disruption to the rebuilding process.