Los Angeles County officials announced Sunday evening that Pacific Palisades would fully reopen to residents during daylight hours on Monday, January 27, far earlier than initially expected.

The announcement came after mounting pressure from residents and a direct exchange between Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and former President Donald Trump.

The controversy began on Friday during a roundtable meeting held at a local fire station, where Mayor Bass informed President Trump that it was unsafe for residents to return to the area.

The region had been evacuated due to significant damage, and Bass initially estimated that residents could return “within a week.”

President Trump, however, expressed concern over the timeline, stating, “That’s a long time, a week. I’ll be honest, to me, everyone standing in front of their house, they want to go to work and they’re not allowed to do it. … They’re safe. They’re safe. You know what? They’re not safe. They’re not safe now. They’re going to be much safer. A week, a week is actually a long time the way I look at it.”

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

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Residents attending the meeting supported Trump’s remarks, urging officials to expedite the reopening.

In response to the public pushback, Mayor Bass agreed to accelerate the timeline but did not provide a specific date for reopening during the meeting.

By Saturday, emboldened by Trump’s remarks, many Pacific Palisades residents began returning to their homes despite restrictions, according to reports by Breitbart News.

Some were able to talk their way past police checkpoints to access their properties, further intensifying the debate over reopening.

By Sunday, Los Angeles County officials yielded to the growing pressure, announcing that residents would be allowed to return starting Monday, weather permitting.

The reopening will permit residents to visit their properties during daylight hours, with access ending at 5:00 p.m. each day.

While some residents plan to sift through the rubble in search of salvageable belongings, others intend to assess the damage and begin the process of emotional recovery.

For many, returning to their homes represents a crucial step toward healing from the disaster.

Debris removal and rebuilding efforts are expected to take months, presenting a complex logistical challenge for both residents and local authorities.

Despite these challenges, the earlier reopening offers residents a sense of relief and an opportunity to regain some semblance of normalcy.

The accelerated timeline marks a significant shift in the county’s approach, influenced by public pressure and Trump’s direct involvement during the roundtable discussion.

The reopening provides residents a chance to move forward, even as long-term recovery efforts continue.

For now, Pacific Palisades residents will take the first steps toward reclaiming their homes and communities, as the recovery process begins in earnest.

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