Trump Orders Federal Takeover of LA Wildfire Rebuilding Push (1)

President Donald Trump signed an executive order that allows the federal government to preempt state and local regulations in the recovery efforts of last year’s Los Angeles wildfires, blaming the destruction and its slow rebuilding on California’s authorities.

“Immediate and decisive federal action is required to ensure that federal disaster assistance is delivered and utilized swiftly, effectively, and without obstruction by state and local governments,” according to the executive order.

Nearly 40,000 acres were burned in the Eaton and Palisades wildfires last January, killing at least 31 people and destroying 16,000 structures. Estimates of economic and property losses range ...