President Trump Promises to ‘Open the Coffers’ to Help Rebuild Pacific Palisades

President Donald Trump toured the fire-ravaged Pacific Palisades Friday and vowed to “open the coffers” of the federal government and waive federal permits to expedite the rebuilding process.

“I don’t think you can realize how rough it is, how devastating it is until you see it,” Trump said of the fire damage. “I didn’t realize. I saw a lot of bad things on television, but the extent of it, the size of it.”

In a meeting with local, state and congressional leaders following the tour, Trump assured them “the federal government is standing behind you 100%.” He noted that the fires are “already the most expensive natural disaster, they say, in American history. That’s pretty amazing.”

Trump vowed to “essentially waive all federal permits,” noting that the permitting process can often hold up projects for 10 years, and he asked local authorities for assurances that local permitting also be expedited or waived — something Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass assured Trump was already being done.

Trump noted that he is a property owner in California and is committed to helping the fire-affected communities rebuild.

“There can be no Golden Age without the Golden State, it’s a great state,” he said. “It’s a fantastic place. We’re going to have a big celebration soon, we’re going to come back, come back as much as you need, and we’re going to turn it around. We’re going to open the coffers. You know, America wants this to be taken care of.”

The President’s promise to help came despite earlier criticisms of California’s water policies and a suggestion that any federal aid come with conditions.

Trump was greeted Friday afternoon at Los Angeles International Airport by longtime political nemesis Gov. Gavin Newsom. The pair shook hands as the president deplaned from Air Force One with the first lady, and they spoke privately before addressing a group of reporters.

“I appreciate the governor coming out and meeting me very much, and we’ll be talking,” Trump said. “We want to get it fixed. We want to get the problem fixed. … It’s like you got hit by a bomb.”

Thank you, @POTUS, for coming to Los Angeles and standing with Californians impacted by these firestorms that have devastated our communities.

I look forward to working together to help Southern California recover and rebuild. pic.twitter.com/ji1wndTr22— Governor Newsom (@CAgovernor) January 24, 2025

Newsom responded, “Most importantly, thank you for being here. It means a great deal to all of us. Not just the folks in Palisades, but folks in Altadena that were devastated. We’re going to need your support. We’re going to need your help. You were there for us during COVID. I don’t forget that. And I have all the expectations that we’ll be able to work together to get this speedy recovery.”

Trump then boarded the Marine One helicopter and took an aerial tour of the Palisades Fire area. After that brief tour, he was taken to a neighborhood where he and Melania Trump walked along Sunset Boulevard, a section of street lined with destroyed homes. They were accompanied by Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Jeff Brown, chief of Station 69 in Pacific Palisades, and Jason Hing, LAFD chief deputy of emergency services.

Trump did not visit the Eaton Fire area in Altadena during his visit.

Trump departed Los Angeles Friday night, flying to Las Vegas.