Trump moves federal reins to oversee LA wildfire rebuilding permits

President Trump signed an executive order that would strip local and state permitting authority for rebuilding homes and other structures damaged in the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires and hand it to the federal government. The plan directs FEMA and the Small Business Administration to draft regulations that could preempt local rules and allow builders to certify compliance with health and safety standards. Gov. Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass criticized the move as unprecedented and potentially legally dubious, while supporters say it could speed recovery. About 16,000 structures were affected, with roughly 4,700 rebuild applications and 2,000 approvals so far, highlighting the ongoing struggles of survivors and the broader political fight over disaster aid.