At the anniversary event, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass was notably absent, as she had gone to MacArthur Park to protest an ICE raid.

Officials noted the rapid progress of hazardous waste and debris removal — both of which are primarily handled by the federal government — but admitted the slow progress of local permitting for rebuilding.

Governor Newsom claimed that the illegal labor force represented 41% of the local workforce in construction, and was therefore “foundational” to the recovery effort.

Newsom did not explain why American contractors and workers could not handle the rebuilding effort.