President Trump signed an executive order transferring permitting authority for wildfire rebuilding in California from state and local governments to federal agencies, including FEMA and the SBA.

The order allows federal officials to approve building permits, overriding local and state procedures, citing slow progress in reconstructing homes and businesses after last year’s Palisades and Eaton fires.

Trump criticized Governor Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass for mismanaging the fires and the rebuild, while Newsom argued the main issue is a lack of federal funding, not permitting speed.

The White House defended Trump’s action as expediting recovery, while Bass called it a “meaningless political stunt,” noting that local efforts are already underway and many permits have been processed quickly, CBS News has reported.

The move escalates tensions between the federal government and California leaders amid ongoing debates over disaster recovery and funding.