LA Mayor, Trump argue over rebuilding after fires
President Donald Trump and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass argued over the timing of when displaced residents can legally return to their properties to clear out debris after the recent fires.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. – President Donald Trump and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass had brief arguments over Southern California’s approach to wildfire response and recovery.
On Friday, Jan. 24, the President arrived at LAX to survey the aftermath of the 23,000-acre Palisades Fire. Following the tour, a roundtable discussion was held with Los Angeles City and County leaders to discuss Southern California’s rebuilding efforts.
During the discussion, Trump and Bass spoke over each other and briefly clashed over the projected timelines of when evacuated residents should be allowed to return to their properties.
“We are going to do everything we can slashing regulations, expediting everything. So that people can begin the process right away,” Bass said during the meeting.
Trump in LA to discuss wildfire recovery
President Donald Trump briefly crossed paths with California Governor Gavin Newsom and then met with Los Angeles City and County leaders — including LA Mayor Karen Bass — to discuss recovery and rebuild after the Jan. 2025 fires that devastated Southern California.
As Bass was speaking, Trump interjected, mentioning that some of the displaced residents were told that they may have to wait up to 18 months to start the rebuild.
“We know the one thing is they are saying they will not be allowed to start for 18 months,” Trump said of the 18-month timeframe.
“That will not be the case,” Bass responded. “First, we have to take care, to make sure that there’s not that getting rid of the hazardous waste, cleaning things up. So that people can start right away. And just like you said, if somebody had their house were destroyed and they’re going to rebuild essentially the same, maybe a little bit longer, a little bit higher, they really shouldn’t have to go through much of a process. So I want you to know that we are expediting that. We absolutely need your help. We need the federal help.”
Trump then pressed the LA Mayor on the apparent timing of when the displaced residents can legally return to their properties – saying even a week is too long to make the evacuees wait.
“They want to start now. They want to start removing things are not allowed to do it now,” Trump said.
In that brief exchange, the two did not end up finding a middle ground on when Pacific Palisades residents can formally start the rebuild. In Friday’s meeting, Trump said he is going to waive all the federal permits needed to start the rebuild.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, who was at LAX to personally greet Trump on Friday, was not invited to the roundtable meeting.
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