Los Angeles smolders in devastation, a modern-day Pompeii ravaged not by volcanic fury but by infernos born of poor forest management and bureaucratic neglect. Over 23,000 acres charred, more than 12,000 structures obliterated and tens of thousands of lives uprooted—all this under the passive gaze of “Sleepy Joe” Biden. With estimates suggesting a decade-long recovery, the call for decisive action grows deafening. Yet, Biden dithers, leaving the Army Corps of Engineers and the Navy Seabees—storied heroes of past domestic crises—idling in the wings. It’s time for President Trump to step in and deploy these unparalleled forces to expedite Los Angeles’ recovery.
Historical Parallels: The Corps and Seabees in Action
When disaster strikes, America has long turned to its military’s engineering and construction units to rebuild shattered communities. The Army Corps of Engineers boasts a legacy as towering as the levees they’ve erected. During Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Corps pumped out billions of gallons of water, repaired levees and revamped New Orleans’ flood defenses. Their expertise in water management and rapid infrastructure repair has made them an indispensable force in disaster recovery.
Likewise, the Navy Seabees, those legendary “can do” builders, have constructed hope from rubble since World War II. Following the Northridge earthquake in 1994, Seabee units cleared debris, rebuilt vital structures and restored California communities to functionality. From hurricane-ravaged Florida to earthquake-stricken Alaska, these units have proven time and again that they are America’s vanguard of resilience.
The Army Corps and Seabees: Unsurpassed Capability
The scale and scope of these organizations make them uniquely qualified for the Los Angeles recovery effort. The Army Corps of Engineers fields over 37,000 civilians and soldiers trained in engineering, logistics and environmental restoration. They specialize in tasks like clearing debris, restoring power grids and reinforcing critical infrastructure.
The Seabees, a smaller yet equally formidable force, are expert builders. Numbering approximately 14,000 active-duty personnel, these construction battalions excel in creating infrastructure from scratch—whether erecting bridges or providing temporary shelters for displaced families. With their rapid deployment capabilities, they can immediately begin the arduous task of clearing the skeletal remains of Los Angeles’ neighborhoods and businesses.
The Inferno’s Toll
The wildfires that engulfed Los Angeles were no ordinary calamity. Fueled by mismanagement of forested areas and a lack of adequate firebreaks, the flames turned tens of thousands of acres into a smoldering wasteland. Over 12,300 structures—homes, businesses, schools—were reduced to ash. The death toll, already at 28, continues to rise as crews sift through the rubble. Economists estimate damages to exceed $50 billion, with insured losses approaching $40 billion. Recovery under current federal efforts is projected to take a staggering ten years—a timeline that leaves families stranded, businesses bankrupt and the American Dream deferred for an entire region.
Biden’s Dereliction
Amid this chaos, Biden’s inaction looms large. Where is the leadership that brought the Corps to New Orleans or the Seabees to Northridge? Instead of mobilizing these elite forces, Biden has offered hollow promises and photo-ops. Los Angeles doesn’t need platitudes; it needs bulldozers, generators and battalions of builders. His administration’s unwillingness to deploy these resources betrays either a lack of competence or, worse, a deliberate neglect of California’s plight.
A Trumpian Solution
President Trump’s inauguration today offers a glimmer of hope. Trump, whose America First ethos has always championed swift action over bureaucratic inertia, must immediately mobilize the Corps and Seabees. These units—standing ready and fully capable—can begin the vital work of clearing debris, reconstructing infrastructure and jumpstarting Los Angeles’ path to recovery. By doing so, Trump will not only restore hope to a beleaguered city but also demonstrate what true leadership looks like.
Conclusion
The road to recovery doesn’t have to stretch a decade into the future. With the Army Corps of Engineers and Navy Seabees at the helm, Los Angeles could begin to rise from the ashes within months. But this requires leadership—the kind Biden has failed to provide. Let Trump step into the void and do what America does best: rebuild stronger, faster and better than before. Los Angeles is waiting. The question is, will help come from Washington, or will it languish in Biden’s empty rhetoric? For the sake of a city on its knees, let’s hope Trump delivers.
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What about Maui?What about North Carolina?What about East Palestine Ohio?
Please don’t forget about the folks in North Carolina and Tennessee from Hurricane Helene. Many of them are still living in tents in sub-zero temperatures. The government’s inaction and blocking of private help is nothing short of criminal. I know this area isn’t as glamorous as LA, but they are suffering as much if not more than the folks in LA.
California created their problem let them fix it. i do not want to finance their stupidity.
Nero fiddles and Rome burned. Mayor and Governor fiddled and LA Burned. The liberal Democrats need to wake up and make these people responsible, remove them from office and put in competent people to lead them. For the people who lost it all, the land still has come value, sell it and leave the state, take what you can and go where there is more sanity.
Don’t forget – Hurricane Helene caused billions in property damage and hundreds of fatalities. Damaged or destroyed approximately 73,000 homes in North Carolina alone. Per https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/billions/events “Florida deaths 36, damage $21.1 billion; Georgia deaths 34, damage $6.46 billion; South Carolina deaths 51, damage Unknown; North Carolina deaths 104 (26), damage $60 billion; Tennessee deaths 18, damage $1.35 billion; Virginia deaths 2, damage $4.1 billion; Total deaths ≥246 (26), damage 78.7-93.5 billion”. As of December 2024 some outlets have upped the damages to between $225 to $250 billion. Per USACE Hurricane Helene Response Website – “The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is working in partnership with the local, state, and federal response to the Hurricane Helene. More than 260 USACE personnel are deployed, coordinating with partners in the affected areas. Additionally, around 65 USACE personnel are supporting response efforts via reach-back, and USACE has more than 215 contractor personnel deployed.” A total of 5,785 National Guardsmen have been deployed in the southeastern states, according to the Pentagon. Oh, and don’t forget the $750.00 from FEMA if one applies and qualifies for it. Maybe this is the same amount of support that should be sent to “help” the wildfire relief in Los Angeles California. One state vs at least 6 states, yeah this should be fair.
He should first and foremost help N Carolina!!!
Maybe some good ol American can-do from President Trump’s administration can win over voters in LA. Victims are all colors and both parties.