Gov. Gavin Newsom begs Trump for help rebuilding fire-ravaged LA neighborhoods: ‘Please!’

Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a desperate plea to President Donald Trump for fire aid after he ordered feds to fast-track permitting to rebuild fire-wrecked Los Angeles neighborhoods.

The governor blasted Trump’s executive order to take over permitting, first reported by the California Post, writing on X that “an executive order to rebuild Mars would do just as useful” — before begging the president to release federal aid to help communities pay for extensive rebuilding efforts.

“The Feds need to release funding not take over local permit approval speed — the main obstacle is COMMUNITIES NOT HAVING THE MONEY TO REBUILD,” Newsom’s press office wrote.

“Mr. President, please actually help us. We are begging you. Release the federal disaster aid you’re withholding that will help communities rebuild their homes, schools, parks, and infrastructure,” Newsom continued.

“Please help us. Please!”

Trump’s order is intended to “preempt” the building permit process, calling out a “nightmare” of delays and “bureaucratic malaise” at the California state and local levels.

Under the order, the heads of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) will issue regulations intended to let builders self-certify to a federal agency that they have complied with health, safety and building standards. 

Newsom pointed to “1,625+ home permits issued, hundreds of homes under construction, and permitting timelines at least 2x faster than before the fires” as evidence that local leaders’ efforts to streamline construction are working.

In December, Newsom re-upped a request for $34 billion in federal disaster relief funds, first sent in February of last year, in a letter to Trump.

The president has not yet made a formal appropriations request for fire aid to Congress.

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters