Trump Urges LA Mayor Bass to Waive Permits and Begin Wildfire Rebuilding Immediately

Jan 25, 2025, 01:39 AM

President Donald Trump and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass engaged in a tense exchange on January 25, 2025, over the bureaucratic delays hindering rebuilding efforts after the deadly January 2025 wildfires in Southern California. During a live press conference, Trump criticized the 18-month timeline before rebuilding could begin, asserting, "They should be able to start tonight." He urged Bass to exercise her emergency powers to expedite the process, emphasizing that even waiting "a week is a long time" for affected homeowners. Bass responded that residents might be able to return home "in a week" and assured, "You can hold me to that." However, Trump pointed out that residents were still not allowed on their own properties, referencing that LA County had prohibited personal cleanup on January 15. He insisted that permits be waived to allow immediate action, highlighting the need to cut through red tape to facilitate prompt recovery.