By Charles Switzer
8:48am PST, Jan 25, 2025
Trump Clashes with Karen Bass Over Delayed Rebuilding Efforts
During his visit to Los Angeles to survey wildfire damage, President Donald Trump and Mayor Karen Bass engaged in a heated exchange over the timeline for residents to return to their properties, The New York Post reported.
Trump pressed Bass to use her emergency powers to expedite the process, stating, "You have emergency powers, just like I do, and I'm exercising them."
Bass defended her actions, claiming she had already implemented measures, but her statement conflicted with her one-week timeline for residents to access their homes. Residents present at the roundtable voiced frustrations, with one woman shouting, "We can't even see our homes right now!"
Trump responded sharply, asserting, "A week is actually a long time, the way I look at it."
Here's everything the two leaders traded barbs on.
MORE: Follow Wonderwall on MSN for more fun celebrity & entertainment photo galleries and content
Trump Pushes Reconstruction Efforts
Trump announced plans to eliminate federal permits to accelerate rebuilding, stating, "We're going to essentially waive all federal permits."
The 47th U.S. president pledged to override the Coastal Commission and other regulatory hurdles he deemed unnecessary. Trump emphasized the urgency of rebuilding, telling the crowd, "This took place during the life of another president — not me — but I'm going to be the president that's going to help you fix it."
His strong stance on cutting through bureaucratic red tape drew applause from Republicans but raised concerns among environmental groups.
Meanwhile, Bass urged that she wants "people to be safe" when the president kept pushing her about residents' rights to return to their homes.
Water Wars
The president criticized California's water management policies, specifically targeting environmental regulations, which he believes restrict water flow to Southern California.
He announced an executive order to release water from northern California, declaring, "I'm signing an executive order to open up the pumps and valves in the north."
Trump derided concerns over the delta smelt, a fish protected under environmental laws, stating, "The people of California have to be protected, not the fish."
His remarks sparked debate over balancing environmental conservation with the needs of residents.
Blame Game
The president blamed Democratic policies for the lack of fire insurance coverage and inadequate vegetation clearing, which he said exacerbated the wildfire crisis. Trump pointed to the withdrawal of insurance providers from the region, stating, "You lost your insurance companies six months ago because the state wouldn't give them what they had to have."
He criticized environmental policies that, in his view, allowed dry brush to accumulate and contribute to fires, remarking, "Some environmental groups like the trees to just melt into the ground, but when they do, they become an inferno."
Ric Grenell Appointed to Oversee Recovery
Trump announced that former ambassador to Germany Ric Grenell would lead federal recovery efforts in the wildfire-stricken areas.
This move aligns with Trump's hands-on approach, as he promised to visit California frequently and provide the necessary resources. "We're going to open the coffers," Trump said, highlighting his commitment to ensuring recovery efforts are swift and effective.
His appointment of Grenell was praised by Republican allies but raised questions about the absence of input from state officials like Governor Gavin Newsom.
Trump's Vision for California
Concluding his visit, Trump echoed themes from his inaugural speech, stating, "There can be no golden age without the Golden State." He pledged to continue supporting California's recovery, insisting, "America wants this to be taken care of."
While Democrats sparred with Trump over his policies and rhetoric, the president's focus on rebuilding and cutting regulations appealed to his base.
One MAGA supporter shared on X, "Trump's visit underscored his strategy to align federal efforts with his broader vision of economic and environmental reforms for the nation."
Another shot back, "He longs to be loved in California because he is obsessed with status and celebrity. Everybody h—- him here and he can't take it. He doesn't care about people's lives being destroyed, it's all PR and melting mansions to him."
1 week ago
3
English (US) ·