Trump SEIZES Control of California!

Man in suit and red tie speaking outside.

President Trump signed an unprecedented executive order to federalize the Los Angeles wildfire rebuild, stripping California’s bureaucrats of permitting control after a year of displacement left thousands of families homeless while local officials sat on billions in unspent federal disaster funds.

Story Highlights

Trump’s January 27, 2026 executive order allows federal self-certification for rebuilding homes destroyed by 2025 Palisades and Eaton wildfires, bypassing California’s slow permitting process
Only 2,981 permits issued locally with 2,587 still under review one year after fires devastated nearly 40,000 acres and displaced thousands of residents
Order directs FEMA to audit California’s $3 billion in unspent Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds amid accusations of gross mismanagement
Governor Newsom and LA Mayor Bass dismiss order as political stunt, claiming local processes already doubled in speed despite ongoing displacement crisis

Federal Intervention Overrides State Permitting Authority

President Trump directed FEMA and the Small Business Administration to create self-certification regulations allowing builders to use federal emergency funds without navigating California’s traditional permitting maze. The order targets homes and businesses destroyed by the 2025 Palisades and Eaton wildfires that ravaged Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Malibu, and Pasadena. This represents the first time federal agencies have preempted local building permit processes during disaster recovery. The administration frames this as necessary action to overcome what it calls bureaucratic obstruction that has kept displaced families from returning home for over a year.

California’s Permitting Delays Leave Residents Stranded

Local authorities issued just 2,981 building permits throughout 2025, leaving 2,587 applications still in review as of early 2026. These numbers reveal only 16 percent of Eaton fire homes and 14 percent of Palisades fire homes received permits by December 2025. While California officials claim permitting now moves twice as fast as pre-fire baselines, the reality remains that hundreds of families cannot rebuild while awaiting government approval. The SBA approved $3.2 billion in federal aid, yet residents remain displaced. This situation exemplifies the failure of big government bureaucracy to respond efficiently when Americans need help most, prioritizing red tape over restoring lives.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he has signed an executive order to “cut through bureaucratic red tape” and speed up reconstruction of tens of thousands of homes destroyed by the January 2025 Los Angeles area wildfires.

https://t.co/fAck0hjJUO

— Action News Now (@ActionNewsNow) January 27, 2026

Audit Targets $3 Billion in Unspent Federal Disaster Funds

Trump’s order includes a FEMA audit of California’s $3 billion in unspent Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds, raising serious questions about fiscal responsibility and state management of taxpayer resources. The SBA released a statement responding to what it termed “gross mismanagement” of disaster recovery efforts by state and local governments. While federal agencies approved substantial funding to help Californians rebuild, the money sits unused as residents face insurance shortfalls and continued displacement. This audit could reveal whether California Democrats prioritized political posturing over practical disaster relief, a pattern conservatives have witnessed repeatedly under progressive leadership that talks compassion but delivers bureaucratic gridlock.

Political Feud Escalates Between Trump and California Leaders

Governor Gavin Newsom dismissed the executive order as useless, comparing it to “an executive order to rebuild Mars,” and accused Trump of withholding needed aid. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called it a “meaningless political stunt,” claiming the President should focus on his own responsibilities. The administration counters that it has worked since Day One to route water and resources while state leaders created a “nightmare of delay” for victims. Maryam Zar from the Palisades Recovery Coalition noted that while insurance and funding remain bigger obstacles than permits, the order fairly addresses the slow pace. This conflict exposes fundamental disagreements about governance: Trump supporters see decisive federal action cutting through incompetent state bureaucracy, while California Democrats defend their record despite thousands still unable to return home.

Precedent Set for Federal Disaster Recovery Authority

The executive order establishes new precedent for federal intervention in traditionally local permitting processes during disasters. Unlike standard FEMA and SBA roles limited to funding assistance, this order shifts permitting authority to federal self-certification for health and safety compliance. Legal challenges from California and Los Angeles officials appear likely, potentially delaying implementation despite the order’s intent to accelerate rebuilding. Over 450 homes are currently under construction, and more than 1,625 Los Angeles city permits have been processed through existing channels. The long-term implications could reshape federal-state relationships on disaster recovery, particularly when state governments fail to act with urgency that respects displaced citizens’ constitutional rights to property and pursuit of happiness.