Governor Gavin Newsom urgently reached out to President Donald Trump for fire relief after instructing the federal government to speed up rebuilding permits for neighborhoods in Los Angeles affected by recent fires.
According to the California Post, Newsom criticized Trump’s executive order regarding permits, quipping on X that “an executive order to rebuild Mars would help as well,” while urging the president to unlock federal funds for communities facing extensive rebuilding needs.
“The federal government needs to release funds instead of taking over local permit approval timelines. The biggest hurdle is that local communities lack the money to rebuild,” Newsom’s office stated.
“Mr. President, we really need your help. Please release the federal disaster aid you are withholding to support the rebuilding of homes, schools, parks, and infrastructure,” he added with a plea.
Newsom remarked that President Trump’s order seems to create a “nightmare” of delays and “bureaucratic fatigue” for state and local governments in California. It proposes that FEMA and the Small Business Administration will implement rules allowing construction companies to self-certify compliance with health, safety, and building codes.
The governor emphasized that “more than 1,625 housing permits have been issued, hundreds of homes are under construction, and permitting is happening at least twice as quickly as it was before the fires,” showcasing local leaders’ efforts to streamline the construction process.
In December, Newsom reiterated his request for $34 billion in federal disaster relief funds, originally sent to Trump in a letter in February of the previous year. As of now, the president hasn’t formally requested Congress for any funding regarding fire relief.
