Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin and Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler told Newsmax on Wednesday about the steps President Donald Trump is taking to help rebuild the Palisades following last year's devastating wildfires.
The wildfires destroyed nearly 7,000 homes, and only a few have been rebuilt.
Last week, Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to override state and local permitting barriers that the administration said have stalled rebuilding efforts in Los Angeles neighborhoods.
"The president is the ultimate builder. And he himself has taken the lead after 13 months of failed state and local leadership to rebuild this community," said Loeffler, speaking from the Palisades, on "Rob Schmitt Tonight."
Loeffler said thousands are waiting for permits to start rebuilding homes.
"There's only been 10 homes rebuilt. It's unacceptable," Loeffler said. "This president wants this community rebuilt."
"They don't have schools. They don't have churches. They don't have homes," Loeffler added. "And this president is making sure that it happens with an all-of-government approach."
Zeldin said they are working to break through anything that is getting in the way of people rebuilding their homes.
"We met with a group of community residents going through different stages of the rebuild, and we don't want to leave," Zeldin said.
Under Trump's leadership, the EPA did a hazardous material removal of the area in less than 30 days, and the Army Corps of Engineers completed a phase two debris removal in record time, Zeldin said.
"And President Trump says, 'Instead of just having my agencies working on the traditional conventional equities in this process and crushing it, how about we mobilize my entire government and just start tearing through whatever obstacles exist, no matter what level of government it is?'" Zeldin said.
Zeldin said families are still dealing with insurance companies not paying what they are owed and issues with water flowing and fire prevention.
"There's so many ways to help," Zeldin said.
Loeffler said Trump has ensured that delays are in the rearview mirror and the rebuilding is set to begin.
"That's why he's putting the residents in the driver's seat with a fast lane to permitting," Loeffler said. "But it's not enough."
"As Lee mentioned, we're going to have to look across insurance, all the rebuilding requirements, the new regulations that they put in last year as citizens were trying to rebuild," Loeffler added.
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Sam Barron ✉
Sam Barron has almost two decades of experience covering a wide range of topics including politics, crime and business.
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