Lee Zeldin, President Trump’s appointed firefighter, criticized Gavin Newsom for his daily insults aimed at the president, arguing that this behavior ultimately harms fire victims.
On Wednesday, Zeldin visited the Palisades area, engaging with fire survivors and hosting a roundtable discussion. This event was covered exclusively by the California Post.
During his time there, Zeldin expressed concerns about the scale of funding Newsom is pushing for, labeling it “huge and ambitious,” especially in light of the actual needs communicated by local governments addressing victims’ issues.
“The governor is out there campaigning for the presidency in 2028, constantly insulting the president, and then in the midst of that, he’s asking for tens of billions of dollars,” Zeldin remarked after his discussions with survivors. “That’s significantly more than what local officials are requesting.”
He added, “So, I shared some unsolicited advice, suggesting he’s undermining his efforts.”
Prior to meeting with the fire victims, Zeldin spoke with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass about recovery strategies, indicating a collaborative approach moving forward.
In a roundtable with Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler, they listened to residents share their difficulties with obtaining permits, financing, and insurance. The victims expressed a desire for federal intervention, favoring a centralized agency similar to what was established after 9/11 for Lower Manhattan, aimed at ensuring accountability for the Palisades Fund.
Loeffler also mentioned an executive order from President Trump designed to assist victims in navigating local regulations to secure necessary permits if their applications have been pending for 60 days.
“If you have a permit on file that complies with the law, you can self-certify,” Loeffler explained, which allows construction to commence while city inspectors validate the permit.
She noted this process can be accessed through sba.gov. “Homeowners can now self-certify their occupancy according to state and local guidelines, allowing them to move in more quickly,” she added.
Zeldin mentioned plans to return to the state later this month.
