Rep. Judy Chu Criticizes Trump Executive Order on Wildfire Rebuilding

Altadena, December 2025 (Photo – Colorado Boulevard Newspaper)

Rep. Judy Chu (D–CA-28) issued a statement today responding to President Trump’s Executive Order titled *“Accelerating Rebuilding in Wildfire-Devastated Los Angeles,” expressing strong opposition and questioning its effectiveness for wildfire survivors.

By News Desk

The statement comes as the White House announced Tuesday that Trump had signed an executive order intended to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and accelerate rebuilding in Pacific Palisades and Eaton Canyon, nearly a year after wildfires destroyed homes and businesses across roughly 40,000 acres. However, questions remain about the order’s practical impact, as state and local officials note that a nearly $34 billion disaster aid request has yet to move forward in Congress.

According to Chu, affordability remains the primary concern among constituents affected by wildfires in her district. She said the executive order fails to address this issue and argued that it will not speed up rebuilding efforts.

“The number one concern I hear from wildfire survivors in my district is whether they can afford to rebuild, and this Executive Order does nothing to address that,” Chu said. “In fact, it will do nothing to accelerate rebuilding.”

Chu also criticized Trump and congressional Republicans for what she described as a prolonged refusal to provide supplemental disaster aid. She stated that communities impacted by the Eaton and Palisades Fires, as well as disaster survivors in Florida, Texas, and North Carolina, have been waiting for assistance for more than a year.

“For more than a year, President Trump and congressional Republicans have refused to deliver supplemental disaster aid not only to communities devastated by the Eaton and Palisades Fires, but also to disaster survivors in Florida, Texas, and North Carolina,” Chu said.

She characterized the executive order as a diversion from the administration’s responsibility to respond to California Governor Gavin Newsom’s $34 billion supplemental disaster aid request.

“This Executive Order is yet another distraction from the President’s responsibility to immediately fulfill Governor Newsom’s $34 billion supplemental disaster aid request, with no strings attached,” Chu said.

Chu concluded by reaffirming her commitment to securing federal assistance for affected communities, stating that she will continue advocating until the aid is delivered and communities have the resources needed to recover, rebuild, and heal.