Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin told Newsmax on Thursday that he’s confident that the Pacific Palisades and other Los Angeles-area neighborhoods will build back better than they were before being destroyed by fires.

Zeldin made the remarks from the Palisades, where he joined myriad other federal agencies on Thursday leading the charge with local and state officials on Phase I of the removal of debris and hazardous materials from the burned-out sites.

Zeldin appeared on “Rob Schmitt Tonight” to discuss the process of rebuilding LA in the aftermath of California Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom’s visit with President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday. Zeldin was asked if Trump was still planning to tether federal aid to reforms that he has demanded California make in the aftermath of the wildfires.

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