After Trump Visit Local Residents Allowed Into Neighborhoods.
Los Angeles County officials announced Sunday evening that the Pacific Palisades will fully reopen to residents during daylight hours starting Monday, January 27—far earlier than initially planned.
This decision follows mounting pressure from residents and intervention from President Donald Trump, who urged a faster timeline during a roundtable discussion just days earlier.
The reversal came after L.A. Mayor Karen Bass initially deemed it unsafe for residents to return to the fire-scarred area. During a Friday meeting at a local fire station, Bass told Trump that the return process could take up to a week, sparking objections from frustrated residents.
The president, echoing their concerns, pushed back. “A week, a week is actually a long time the way I look at it,” Trump remarked, emphasizing the urgency of allowing residents to begin the recovery process. “They’re safe. They’re safe. You know what? They’re not safe now. They’re going to be much safer.”
We're seeing the most incredible political proposition of my lifetime: What if the President just showed up and used the power of his office to call elected officials and corporations on their bullshit and demand better on behalf of the people? https://t.co/FZq63jbrBE
— Batya Ungar-Sargon (@bungarsargon) January 26, 2025
Trump’s words appeared to resonate with the community. As Breitbart News reported, many Palisades residents—emboldened by the president’s comments—began returning to their homes and properties over the weekend, despite the county’s restrictions.
By Saturday, numerous residents managed to bypass police checkpoints, eager to survey the damage, retrieve belongings, and assess what was left of their homes. By Sunday evening, the county officially conceded, announcing that residents could return on Monday from dawn until 5:00 p.m., weather permitting.
For many, this reopening marks the beginning of a long and emotional journey. Some residents plan to sift through the rubble in hopes of recovering keepsakes or belongings, while others will simply stand on their lots to grieve, reflect, and begin to process the enormity of their losses.
While this is a critical step toward normalcy, the larger task of clearing debris and rebuilding remains. Officials estimate that debris removal could take months, if not longer, as crews navigate the complex process of restoring the devastated area. Nevertheless, the decision to reopen gives residents a chance to reclaim a sense of agency, offering some solace as they begin the healing process.