Altadena’s Contamination Ignored in White House Rebuilding Order

On January 27, 2026, President Trump issued an executive order titled Addressing State and Local Failures to Rebuild Los Angeles After Wildfire Disasters. The order asserts that state and local governments in California, particularly Los Angeles city and county, failed in key areas following devastating wildfires, including forest management, emergency response, evacuation communications, and permitting for rebuilding. It states that these delays have left thousands of destroyed homes and businesses unrepaired despite federal disaster assistance. The order directs federal agencies, including FEMA and the Small Business Administration (SBA), to develop regulations that can preempt state and local permitting requirements that have slowed reconstruction and instead allow builders to self-certify compliance with health and safety standards to use federal disaster relief funds. It also calls for expedited reviews, waiver processes, and legislative proposals to address barriers to rebuilding. A federal audit of California’s use of nearly $3 billion in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds is mandated, with potential conditions or enforcement based on findings. However, this entire statement from President Trump completely ignores the contamination in Altadena and Palisades soil and standing homes. Read the executive order here.