Reports from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or official government releases

Trump Waives Federal Permits, Urges LA Mayor to Allow Immediate Wildfire Rebuilding

Jan 25, 2025, 01:34 AM

President Donald Trump engaged in a tense exchange with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass over the rebuilding efforts following the deadly January 2025 wildfires in Southern California. During a press conference, Trump announced that the federal government would waive all federal permits to expedite the reconstruction process, emphasizing that federal permits can take up to 10 years. "We don't want to take 10 days," he said. Trump claimed that residents were being told they would not be allowed to start rebuilding for 18 months, insisting they should be able to start "tonight." He urged Mayor Bass to exercise her emergency powers to similarly waive local permits and allow residents immediate access to their properties. Bass responded that residents could start clearing their properties "within a week," but Trump argued that was too long. The President also questioned the need for hazardous waste procedures delaying the process, asking, "What's hazardous waste?" He added, "We're going to override all the permitting... it's very rare that the federal government is able to do that." The exchange highlighted frustrations among residents who have been prohibited from accessing their properties due to hazardous waste concerns and bureaucratic delays. Trump noted that California would need significant federal assistance in the recovery efforts.