Nearly a year after the Eaton and Palisades wildfires devastated large parts of southern California, President Donald Trump is once again thrusting the disaster recovery into the national spotlight — this time by seeking to seize control of the rebuilding permitting process from state and local officials.
Speaking Wednesday at an event in Washington, DC, Trump said he would place Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin in charge of permitting approvals for home reconstruction, signaling an effort to bypass Democratic leadership in California.
“I haven’t told this to Lee Zeldin yet, but I’m going to put you in charge of getting permits. I think we’re going to override the local authorities,” Trump told the EPA chief from the stage.
The proposal has intensified tensions between the Trump administration and California Democrats, who argue the president is deflecting blame from what they describe as a failure to release sufficient federal disaster aid to support rebuilding efforts.
The Eaton and Palisades fires, which erupted in early January 2025, were among the most destructive wildfires in U.S. history. Fueled by dry conditions and powerful Santa Ana winds, the blazes scorched more than 38,000 acres and destroyed at least 16,000 structures.
While the official death toll stood at about 31, researchers at the University of Helsinki estimate that indirect deaths linked to smoke exposure, delayed medical treatment and mental health impacts could be as high as 440. Total damage from the fires has been estimated at $65bn, with some assessments placing economic losses even higher.
On Tuesday, Trump signed an executive order criticizing California’s Democratic leadership — including Governor Gavin Newsom — for what he described as an “abject failure to rebuild” the fire-ravaged communities. The order asserts federal authority over state and local permitting decisions and directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to investigate whether federal funds “were awarded arbitrarily, capriciously, or contrary to law”.
Trump reinforced his position during Wednesday’s appearance, recounting a visit to fire-affected neighborhoods shortly after the disaster.
“I went there a couple of days after the fire, met so many people on the streets. In many cases, they were fairly wealthy people, some very rich people. Some of the best houses in California burned down,” Trump said.
He went on to criticize California’s regulatory environment and Democratic voting patterns.
“It’s a national emergency,” Trump said. “What they’ve done to these people is horrible. It’s just horrible. And they’ll still vote Democrat. Can you believe it? After all, it’s just they get used to it.”
State and local Democratic leaders have rejected Trump’s claims, arguing that the true obstacle to rebuilding is the lack of federal financial support rather than local permitting delays. Previous clashes have included Trump’s decision to deploy National Guard troops to southern California without Governor Newsom’s consent, which Democrats labeled an unconstitutional overreach.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass reiterated those concerns in a statement to local media this week.
“The President has no authority over the local permitting process, but where he could actually be helpful is by providing the critical FEMA funding we have been asking for, by speeding up FEMA reimbursements, and by regulating the industries that he alone can impact,” the statement said.
Bass added that Trump could assist further by pressuring insurance companies to pay claims, encouraging mortgage forgiveness and urging banks to offer no-interest loans to survivors.
Under Bass’s leadership, Los Angeles suspended requirements under the California Coastal Act and the California Environmental Quality Act in January 2025 to accelerate rebuilding. The city also implemented an expedited permit review process mandating decisions within 30 days for qualifying applications.
Despite those measures, progress has been slow. As of Wednesday, state data showed that only 2,981 permits had been approved across Los Angeles County, the city of Los Angeles, Malibu and Pasadena, out of 6,811 applications submitted.
Survivors have also voiced frustration with federal assistance, with some reporting that FEMA payments covered only a fraction of estimated losses. Governor Newsom seized on those complaints this week in a pointed social media message aimed at the White House.
“The Feds need to release funding not take over local permit approval speed — the main obstacle is COMMUNITIES NOT HAVING THE MONEY TO REBUILD,” Newsom’s press office wrote.
“Mr. President, please actually help us. We are begging you. Release the federal disaster aid you’re withholding that will help communities rebuild their homes, schools, parks, and infrastructure.”
Thousands of homes remain in ruins as crews continue to clear hazardous debris, including lead and asbestos, underscoring the long road to recovery still facing southern California.
Originally reported by Allison Griner in Al Jazeera.
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