President Trump signed an executive order aimed at accelerating rebuilding of homes and businesses damaged by California wildfires last January, directing federal officials to override local permitting if that blocks emergency-relief funds. Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the move, saying California needs federal disaster funding rather than permit changes. The order also asks the Homeland Security secretary and the Small Business Administration administrator to propose legislative fixes within 90 days.
Trump Signs Order To Accelerate California Wildfire Rebuilding; Newsom Demands Federal Aid
A house is covered in fire retardant near Six Bit Ranch Road near Chinese Camp, as wildfires rage in Tuolumne County, California, U.S., September 3, 2025. REUTERS/Tracy Barbutes
Jan 27 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order intended to speed rebuilding of homes and businesses destroyed by California wildfires last January, the White House said on Tuesday. The move set up a new clash with Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, who said California needs federal funding more than changes to permitting rules.
In the directive, the White House accused some state and local officials of slowing reconstruction by "approving only a fraction of the permits needed to rebuild." The order instructs administration officials to draft regulations that could preempt state or local permitting processes if those processes are judged to have impeded the "timely use of Federal emergency-relief funds," the White House said.
"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 said in a social media statement, calling for more federal disaster aid rather than a takeover of local permitting.
The order also directs the Homeland Security secretary and the administrator of the Small Business Administration to develop legislative proposals within 90 days if states or local governments are found to be impeding timely recovery after disasters.
Newsom and Trump have frequently clashed on issues including climate policy, infrastructure and federal support for state emergencies.
Last January, the Palisades Fire — one of the most destructive blazes in Los Angeles history — and the wind-driven Eaton Fire together killed more than 30 people and destroyed tens of thousands of homes, officials said. The new order is designed to speed the use of federal recovery funds in the aftermath of such destructive events.
(Reporting by Bhargav Acharya in Toronto; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
Help us improve.
