Newsom Signs Executive Order to Fast-Track Rebuilding, Says He's 'Optimistic' L.A. Will Recover for Olympics

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order on Sunday that temporarily suspends environmental regulations to fast-track rebuilding efforts amid ongoing wildfires. The governor expressed optimism that L.A. will be ready to host back-to-back global sports events, including the Olympics.

In an interview with NBC News, the governor said he is focused on immediate needs but also "thinking three weeks, three months, three years ahead." The new executive order will fast-track rebuilding by "eliminating any [California Environmental Quality Act] requirements" and modifying California's Coastal Act, which is designed to protect and manage the state's 1,100-mile coastline by minimizing development impacts.

When asked about the potential consequences of removing environmental regulations, Newsom said the executive order would be "very mindful of that" without giving many specifics. "California leads the nation in environmental stewardship. I'm not going to give that up, but one thing I won't give in to is delay," he said. "Delay is denial for people."

Within the government's recovery timeline, Newsom indicated that expediting property inspections is a top priority in the coming weeks "so people can get their insurance claims." After that, the state will "start big contracts to remove debris," he said.

"We got to let people know we have their back, we are going to be back, we are going to do it efficiently and effectively," he stated.

L.A. is set to host the World Cup in 2026, the Super Bowl in 2027, and the Olympics in 2028. When asked if California would be ready to host the upcoming global sports events, Gavin said the looming dates "reinforce the imperative of moving quickly." He also hinted that the state would be "seeking federal assistance for the Olympics."

"We are already organizing a marshall plan--we already have a team reimagining LA 2.0," he said. Gavin, also thanked Donald Trump for his role in bringing the Olympics to the United States, saying, "This is an opportunity for [Trump] to shine, for this country to shine, for California, and this community to shine."

Meanwhile, the wildfires continue ravaging the greater Los Angeles area, destroying entire communities. As of Sunday, at least 16 people have died, and more than 100,000 residents were still under evacuation. The Santa Ana winds are expected to strengthen Sunday, potentially dampening firefighting efforts.