Palisades Fire Victims Blast Gavin Newsom, Karen Bass for Blocking Trump Rebuild Plan

Residents displaced by the devastating Palisades wildfires are voicing growing frustration with California Democratic leadership after Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass publicly rejected President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at accelerating the rebuilding of thousands of destroyed homes, as reported by The New York Post.

The backlash followed reporting by The California Post that President Trump plans to issue an executive order allowing the federal government to expedite and streamline the permitting process for rebuilding homes lost in last year’s Palisades inferno.

The order is designed to bypass state and local delays that have slowed reconstruction efforts across the region.

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Wildfires in the Palisades area destroyed an estimated 16,000 structures. However, Los Angeles city and county officials have issued only about 2,600 rebuilding permits to date. According to the Trump administration, fewer than 15 percent of destroyed homes have received the necessary approvals to move forward.

Several Palisades residents criticized Newsom and Bass for opposing federal involvement despite the slow pace of recovery.

“Totally deflecting and not even sitting on the topic,” one Palisades resident said. “I don’t understand why the state would [oppose the aid], other than they want to oppose anything that this current administration does.”

“If the feds are coming in to help streamline things and make it better and easier for us, I’m all for it,” the resident added, saying neighbors are “almost hopeless” about rebuilding under the current system.

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Another resident said, “The federal government is going to manage the process because California doesn’t seem to have the ability to keep track of its money and manage its money.”

Newsom drew sharp criticism after responding on X to the proposed executive order, writing that “an executive order to rebuild Mars would do just as useful.”

The comment prompted a wave of angry responses from Californians still waiting to return to their homes.

“We all know what happens when federal funding is sent to commiefornia, it disappears,” one user commented.

We all know what happens when federal funding is sent to commiefornia, it disappears. https://t.co/gNHiHOtDOc

— Nick (@Nickhll82) January 27, 2026

“People who live in LA can see with our own eyes. You are a liar and a failure,” another wrote.

People who live in LA can see with our own eyes. You are a liar and a failure.

— Rising Eagle (@risingeagleusa) January 27, 2026

“[Trump] Please do not allow Newscum to be in control of any federal funds. He won’t even allow people to claim their tips on their state taxes,” another user added.

@POTUS Please do not allow Newscum to be in control of any federal funds. He won’t even allow people to claim their tips on their state taxes.

— Heather (@oheathersue) January 27, 2026

Bass also faced criticism after telling The California Post that President Trump has “no authority over the local permitting process” and should instead “demand the insurance industry pay people for their losses so that survivors can afford to rebuild.”

“The President should handle his business, because we are handling ours,” Bass said.

Residents responded skeptically after Bass posted on X on Tuesday, urging Democrats to unite on public safety issues.

“LA is a lawless s…thole,” one commenter wrote.

LA is a lawless s…thole

— elenor candy (@elenor_candy) January 27, 2026

“Can’t get houses rebuilt tho,” another added.

Democrats must not only lead the conversation on public safety, but lead it better. That means rejecting the old playbook and embracing a comprehensive approach to public safety. That is, preventing crime in the first place, addressing the social, health, and economic factors…

— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) January 27, 2026

Several Palisades fire victims told The California Post that federal involvement could be decisive.

“We’re so desperate. We really need the help. We cannot do this on our own,” Jessica Rogers said.

“Our state’s not capable, our city’s not capable, this is not something that requires a village, it requires the nation. We need our federal government to come in.”

According to administration officials, President Trump’s order would “preempt” California’s permitting process, citing what it calls a “nightmare” of delays and entrenched bureaucracy at the state and local levels.

The order is expected to face legal challenges from Democratic leaders, even as thousands of residents remain displaced.

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