AFP USA

Marco Rubio, Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of state, charged Wednesday that China cheated its way to superpower status and vowed to cast aside the “liberal world order” long promoted by the United States.Rubio faced fellow senators at a confirmation hearing that, other than expected interruptions by protesters, was set to be among the least contentious appearances for Trump’s motley array of nominees.The longtime hawk opened by taking aim at China — which outgoing President Joe Biden has also called a competitor but nevertheless sought to engage.Rubio rejected a key tenet of Biden’s foreign policy — prioritizing a rules-based, US-led “liberal world order” — in favor of Trump’s belief in “America First.””The postwar global order is not just obsolete; it is now a weapon being used against us,” Rubio said.”We welcomed the Chinese Communist Party into this global order. And they took advantage of all its benefits. But they ignored all its obligations and responsibilities,” Rubio said.”Instead, they have lied, cheated, hacked and stolen their way to global superpower status, at our expense.”While highlighting China, Rubio’s remarks said that in “Moscow, Tehran and Pyongyang, dictators sow chaos and instability.”He also said that the next US administration would seek “bold diplomacy” with a goal of ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Rubio called for a foreign policy driven solely by whether decisions make the United States safer, stronger and more prosperous.”While America far too often continued to prioritize the ‘global order’ above our core national interests, other nations continued to act the way countries always have and always will, in what they perceive to be in their best interest.” Rubio, the son of working-class Cuban immigrants, would become the first Hispanic and first fluent Spanish speaker to be the top US diplomat.- Expected to coast to confirmation -Other nominees facing Senate hearings Wednesday include Pam Bondi, tapped for the top law enforcement job of attorney general, who served the same role in Florida and personally defended Trump in his first impeachment trial.Trump named her after his first choice, Matt Gaetz, withdrew following allegations that he paid for sex, including with an underage girl, at drug-fueled parties.Little controversy surrounds Rubio, a three-term senator generally well-liked by his colleagues and known for his ease in public appearances.He clashed bitterly with Trump when he challenged him for the 2016 nomination — with the future president mocking him as “Little Marco” — but he has come back into good graces.He is expected to get to work quickly, with sources saying preparations are underway for an immediate four-way meeting on Tuesday in Washington with Rubio’s counterparts from the Quad — Australia, India and Japan.The Quad has long been seen by China as a US-led platform for the four democracies to encircle it, despite Quad leaders’ denials.Rubio’s appearance comes a day after the Biden administration announced it was removing Cuba from a list of state sponsors of terrorism as part of a deal that will free imprisoned protesters.The move comes almost exactly four years after Trump, on leaving office, put Cuba back on the blacklist.Rubio, whose parents fled Cuba before Fidel Castro’s 1959 revolution and strongly opposed the communists, for years has pushed for tough action against Cuba and other leftist-run Latin American nations such as Venezuela.Another nominee set for a senate hearing on Wednesday is Kristi Noem as homeland security secretary.As the governor of South Dakota, Noem raised her profile among Trump supporters with her opposition to Covid pandemic restrictions, but later raised controversy by revealing in a memoir how she killed her family’s dog.Pentagon nominee Pete Hegseth faced a grueling hearing Tuesday, including questioning over his views on women in combat and allegations of sexual abuse, which he denies. Some of the most potentially fiery hearings are yet to be scheduled, including for vaccine conspiracy theorist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health and human services director and Trump stalwart ally Kash Patel to head the FBI.

Large US banks reported soaring profits Wednesday propelled by strength in trading and financial advisory services as Wall Street eyes a potential merger boom under the incoming Trump administration.Profits climbed for US financial heavyweights including JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs, in part because of the absence of large costs in 2024’s year-ending quarter.In the equivalent period in 2023, banks set aside large sums to replenish a US rescue program following the collapse of Silicon Vally Bank.JPMorgan Chase’s fourth-quarter profits jumped 50 percent to $14 billion, while Goldman Sachs’ more than doubled to $3.9 billion. In both cases, huge increases in revenues tied to trading were a standout category, reflecting a buoyant environment in a period that included the US presidential election and a heady aftermath on Wall Street.Citi reported profits of $2.9 billion, compared with a loss of $1.8 billion during the 2023 quarter, while Wells Fargo’s profits rose 47 percent to $5.1 billion.Gains in banking shares helped lift Wall Street stocks Wednesday.Many financial firms are salivating over the prospects of the shift to the administration of President-elect Donald Trump, who is expected to scale back the confrontational regulatory approach of the outgoing Biden administration.”There’s no question that were in a kind of animal spirits moment right now,” said JPMorgan Chief Financial Officer Jeremy Barnum, alluding to an uptick in the “pipeline” of merger and acquisition (M&A) activity.”All eyes are on the US in a big way,” said Citi Chief Financial Officer Mark Mason.”Generally people are looking at the US with what’s likely to be a pro-growth agenda,” Mason said on a briefing with reporters. The bank’s M&A pipeline is “very strong,” he added. A wave of corporate mergers would translate into increased advisory fees at banks after the Biden administration’s broadly skeptical view of dealmaking discouraged some transactions.The industry also stands poised to benefit from an easing of bank regulation that could free up funds currently required to be held as emergency capital. Instead, banks could lend that money, or return it to shareholders.- US economy ‘resilient’ -At JPMorgan, a successful fourth quarter lifted annual profits to $58.5 billion, up 18 percent.Profits increased in JPMorgan’s commercial and investment bank business, driven by higher advising fees and a surge in fixed income and equity trading. JPMorgan also scored higher asset and wealth management fees.These areas of strength offset a two percent decline in net interest income, the result of lower interest rates. JPMorgan also experienced higher credit charge offs, while adding net reserves of $267 million in case of bad loans.Chief Executive Jamie Dimon described the US economy as “resilient,” with relatively low unemployment and solid consumer spending.”Businesses are more optimistic about the economy, and they are encouraged by expectations for a more pro-growth agenda and improved collaboration between government and business,” Dimon said.However, Dimon pointed to the risk that elevated inflation will persist and to geopolitical conditions that remain “the most dangerous and complicated since World War II.”Meanwhile, at Goldman, revenues tied to equity and fixed income, currency and commodity trading rose by double digits, while interest rate products were essentially flat.Goldman also won higher revenues in equity and debt underwriting. While advisory revenues were lower, Goldman said the investment banking fees backlog rose compared with the prior quarter.A Goldman powerpoint listed an “improving” regulatory backdrop among the supporting factors for the firm’s business.”With an improving operating backdrop and growing CEO confidence, we are harnessing the power of One Goldman Sachs to continue to serve our clients with excellence and create further value for our shareholders,” said Chief Executive David Solomon.All four banks rose on Wall Street. At mid-morning, JPMorgan was up 0.8 percent, Goldman Sachs 5.9 percent, Citi 6.2 percent and Wells Fargo 5.2 percent.

TikTok faces an imminent shutdown in the United States after Congress passed a law last year forcing its Chinese owner ByteDance to either sell the platform or close it on Sunday.The US Supreme Court is expected to rule this week on TikTok’s challenge to the law.Following a hearing last Friday, expectations are high that the law will stand. Here is a review of what could happen next for TikTok in the United States.- App store ban -To execute a ban, the US government would direct Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their app stores, preventing new downloads on January 19, a day before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.In that scenario, the app could remain on the phones of the existing 170 million US users unless TikTok directly blocks their access. But TikTok lawyer Noel Francisco stated the site would “go dark” on Sunday if the justices fail to block the ban, and a media report said the company was planning a full suspension of service in the US.According to The Information, users attempting to open the app after the deadline will encounter a message redirecting them to a statement about the federally mandated ban, along with options to download their personal data.In an internal email obtained by The Verge on Tuesday, TikTok assured its US employees that their “employment, pay, and benefits are secure” and offices will remain open even if the situation remains unresolved by Sunday’s deadline.- Workarounds -Even if TikTok keeps its app accessible, US users would stop receiving security and software updates, leading to gradual deterioration in quality and increased vulnerabilities.As a workaround, users might turn to VPNs (virtual private networks) to mask their location by routing through countries where TikTok remains available.Another possibility is that TikTok could update from non-US servers through partnerships with foreign, non-Chinese companies — though this would constitute direct defiance of US authorities and likely intensify scrutiny of ByteDance’s US operations.- Defiance? -Once Trump takes office, the law’s implementation will fall to his attorney general, who could choose not to enforce it, or stall, defying Congress’s overwhelming support for the legislation.The Trump administration might also approach the Republican majority in Congress to modify the law, potentially giving ByteDance more time to find a buyer or devise alternative solutions.- Alternatives -Once banned, the assumption is that TikTok users will move to other apps, like Instagram Reels and YouTube shorts, TikTok copycats that have grown and will directly benefit from their rival’s demise. Elon Musk’s X could also benefit and the tycoon has made it known that he wants his platform, formerly Twitter, to more closely resemble TikTok, with video content and shopping features.Trump has expressed concern that a ban would primarily be to the advantage of Meta-owned Instagram, which may explain Mark Zuckerberg’s recent public support for Trump.Some American content creators have already migrated to Xiaohongshu (Red Note), another Chinese social media app that recently topped the Apple App Store downloads.- Investor rescue? -Several potential buyers have emerged, including a group led by Frank McCourt, former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, even if ByteDance has ruled out a sale for now.His partner in the bid, Canadian businessman Kevin O’Leary, recently golfed with Trump and reported the president-elect’s desire to use the TikTok saga as leverage in US-China relations.A report that the Chinese authorities would be open to a buyout by Musk was denied by TikTok.Former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick also remains interested in buying TikTok, according to the Information.For now, TikTok’s fate rests with the Supreme Court, with the company lawyers asking the nine justices for a delay to any ban to provide “breathing space” for a solution.”Nobody knows what they can do and who’s going to do it until they hear from the Supreme Court,” Trump told Newsmax on Monday.

US consumer inflation rose for a third straight month in December as energy prices jumped but a widely-watched measure eased slightly, raising hopes that underlying inflation may be moderating.The consumer price index (CPI) accelerated to 2.9 percent last month from a year ago, up from 2.7 percent in November, the Labor Department said in a statement on Wednesday.This was in line with the median forecast of economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal.Stocks jumped on the news, with all three major indices on Wall Street up by more than 1.6 percent at around 10 am local time in Washington (1500 GMT).On a monthly basis, inflation rose by 0.4 percent, slightly faster than expected. One of the biggest drivers of inflation in December was the energy index, which jumped by 2.6 percent, accounting for “over” 40 percent of the monthly increase, according to the Labor Department. In some good news for the Federal Reserve, annual inflation excluding volatile food and energy costs came in at a lower-than-expected 3.2 percent, marking a slight decline from the month earlier. – Focus on the core -The so-called “core” measure of inflation increased by 0.2 percent, also slightly below expectations.”The focus is really on the core reading, and the core reading did come in better than the consensus expectations,” Nationwide chief economist Kathy Bostjancic told AFP. The US central bank has cut rates by a full percentage point since September as it looks to bolster the labor market.The recent uptick in inflation adds to expectations that it will remain firmly on pause at its next rate decision later this month. However, higher prices could complicate President-elect Donald Trump’s economic plans as he prepares to return to office on Monday.Trump has floated several policies, from tariffs to deportation, that many economists say could have an inflationary impact. The Republican and his supporters have disputed this characterization, claiming that many of his proposals aimed at deregulation and boosting energy production should help keep prices in check. – Bond yields drop -US bonds rallied as investors reacted to signs of slowing core inflation, pushing down yields, which move inversely to prices. “The softer core reading is really what the markets are focusing on right now, and that’s why you’re seeing a big rally in the bond market,” said Bostjancic from Nationwide. Lower yields on US Treasurys — especially the popular 10-year note — would be good news for consumers, since they are referenced by businesses when they price mortgages and car loans. Wednesday’s data release is nevertheless expected to fuel expectations that the Fed will pause rate cuts later this month, as headline inflation appears to be moving away from its long-term goal of two percent.The Fed uses a different inflation measure to set interest rates, known as the personal consumption expenditures price index. That index has also been rising in recent months. Futures traders see a roughly 97 percent chance that the Fed will vote to hold interest rates between 4.25 and 4.50 percent at the next rate meeting on January 28 and 29, according to data from CME Group.”The pace of inflation is still elevated,” said Bostjancic.”There’s strength in the labor market, and the prospects of changes in tariffs and immigration policies that could push inflation higher will keep the Fed cautious and patient with regard to cutting rates further,” she said. “In that light, we see the Fed moving to the sidelines in the first half of the year to assess the evolving economic inflation and policy landscape,” she added.The financial markets see a roughly 80 percent chance that the Fed will make no more than two rate cuts this year, according to data from CME Group.

Social media giant TikTok plans to completely shut down its operations in the United States this Sunday if a ban ordered by legislators goes through as planned, a report said.The platform, which counts over 170 million American users, will implement an immediate blackout rather than allowing existing users continued access as had been expected, according to sources who spoke to The Information.The apparent shutdown comes as TikTok faces a January 19 legislative deadline to sever ties with its Chinese parent company ByteDance or cease US operations. While the law only requires app stores to remove TikTok and cloud providers to stop hosting US user data, the company will opt for a full suspension of service, The Information said.Users attempting to open the app after the deadline will encounter a message redirecting them to a statement about the federally mandated ban, along with options to download their personal data, the report said.TikTok’s reported plan would follow skeptical questioning from Supreme Court justices during oral arguments last Friday, suggesting they would uphold the ban. The company has challenged the law on First Amendment grounds, which protect freedom of speech.The shutdown would coincide with the US presidential transition, as Donald Trump, who has expressed opposition to the ban, takes office Monday. ByteDance has so far refused to sell TikTok’s US operations, though analysts say this position could shift as the reality of a forced market exit looms.In an internal email obtained by The Verge on Tuesday, TikTok assured its US employees that their “employment, pay, and benefits are secure” and offices will remain open even if the situation remains unresolved by Sunday’s deadline. The company told staff it was “planning for various scenarios.”TikTok declined to comment when contacted by AFP.

US President Joe Biden warned Wednesday that the “soul of America” is still at stake, as he prepared to deliver his farewell address to the nation before the return of Donald Trump.The 82-year-old Democrat will make a primetime speech from the Oval Office of the White House in which Biden is expected to tout the legacy of his single term in power.Ahead of the address at 8:00 pm (0100 GMT Thursday) Biden also released a letter to the American people which delivered an implicit swipe at Republican Trump.”I ran for president because I believed that the soul of America was at stake. The very nature of who we are was at stake. And, that’s still the case,” Biden said in the letter.”History is in your hands. The power is in your hands. The idea of America lies in your hands. We just have to keep the faith and remember who we are,” he said.Biden said the United States was stronger than four years ago, when it “stood in a winter of peril” after Trump’s chaotic first term, the Covid pandemic and what he called “the worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War.”Biden was sworn in just days after the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol by Trump supporters trying to overturn his election loss.He did not mention Trump by name, but his words clearly echoed previous speeches in which he said he decided to run in the 2020 election because America’s “soul” was at risk from Trump and his supporters.- ‘Privilege of my life’ -Biden added that he had asked the White House to also release a long list of what he said were his administration’s achievements on issues ranging from the economy to healthcare and climate.He said the United States had the “strongest economy in the world” and was bringing down inflation — even if public anger over the cost of living was a major factor in the Democrats’ election loss.The outgoing president has spent much of his final days in power trying to burnish a legacy damaged by his decision to run for a second term despite his age.Biden was forced to drop out of the race last June after a disastrous debate against Trump, 78, who went on to win a commanding victory over Biden’s Vice President Kamala Harris.But he said it had been the “privilege of my life to serve this nation for over 50 years.”Biden’s address to the nation comes just two days after a foreign policy speech on Monday in which Biden said he had left the United States stronger on the world stage.The farewell address has become a tradition for US presidents as they leave office.George Washington, the first president, issued perhaps the most famous in 1796 — in the form of a letter — as he declined a third term and called for national unity.The tradition was revived in the 20th century with the advent of radio and television, and Harry Truman was the first to do so from the Oval Office, in 1953.

One rocket, two missions: lunar landers built by US and Japanese companies launched their “rideshare” to the Moon on Wednesday, showcasing the private sector’s growing role in space exploration.On board the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that took off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida were Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost and ispace’s Resilience from Japan, which will also deploy a micro rover.Both uncrewed missions aim to build on the success of Texas-based Intuitive Machines, which last year became the first company to successfully touch down on Earth’s celestial neighbor.Until recently, soft landings on the Moon were achieved only by a handful of well-funded national space agencies, starting with the Soviet Union in 1966.Now, however, several emerging US companies are attempting to replicate this feat under NASA’s experimental Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, designed to cut costs and stimulate a lunar economy.The US plans to establish a sustained human presence on the Moon later this decade under the Artemis program, leveraging commercial partners to deliver critical hardware at a fraction of the cost of government-led missions.”Each milestone we complete will provide valuable data for future missions and ultimately keep the United States and our international partners at the forefront of space exploration,” Firefly Aerospace CEO Jason Kim said Tuesday.”Firefly is a go for launch. Let’s go ghost riders in the sky!”- Staying upright -On the Japanese side, Tokyo-based ispace’s first attempt to land on the Moon ended in an unsalvageable “hard landing” in April 2023.”It’s important to challenge ourselves again, after enduring failure and learning from it,” ispace founder and CEO Takeshi Hakamada said last week.”Today, we’re going back to the Moon,” a post on the ispace X account said Wednesday, adding in a promotional video: “Today, we prove our resilience”.Blue Ghost is stacked atop Resilience inside the Falcon 9, SpaceX executive Julianna Scheiman said, and will be deployed first, followed by Resilience nearly 30 minutes later.The two spacecraft have different timelines for reaching the Moon.Blue Ghost aims to complete its journey in 45 days, gradually lifting its orbit around Earth before entering lunar orbit and touching down near Mons Latreille, a volcanic feature in Mare Crisium on the Moon’s northeast near side.”With 10 NASA instruments on this flight, we’re conducting scientific investigations… from characterizing Earth’s magnetosphere to understanding lunar dust and the Moon’s interior structure and thermal properties,” NASA scientist Maria Banks said.Blue Ghost also carries technology demonstrations focused on navigation and computing in the Moon’s harsh radiation environment.- ‘Moonhouse’ art -Meanwhile, Resilience will take four to five months to reach its destination in Mare Frigoris, on the Moon’s far north.Its payloads include scientific instruments, but the centerpiece is Tenacious, a micro rover developed by ispace-Europe, a Luxembourg-based subsidiary. The four-wheeled robot features a high-definition camera and will attempt to scoop up regolith — the Moon’s loose surface material.It also carries on its front a small red “Moonhouse” created by Swedish artist Mikael Genberg.These ambitious goals hinge on achieving a successful soft landing — a task fraught with challenges.Spacecraft must navigate treacherous boulders and craters and, in the absence of an atmosphere to support parachutes, rely entirely on thrusters for a controlled descent.A final hurdle, as recent missions have shown, is remaining upright.When Intuitive Machines’ Odysseus landed in April 2024, it tipped over, limiting the investigations it could perform.Similarly, Japan’s SLIM lander, which touched down in March 2024, landed at a wonky angle, leaving its solar panels poorly positioned, similarly curtailing its operational lifespan.

Donald Trump’s policies are not likely to cause inflation to reignite as many analysts fear, one of the president-elect’s longtime economic advisors told AFP Tuesday, less than a week before Trump returns to the White House.Many economists have warned that Trump’s campaign proposals, which included imposing sweeping import tariffs and overseeing the largest deportation in US history, could cause a spike in inflation, forcing the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates higher for longer. In an interview, Stephen Moore, a longtime economic advisor to Trump, said that the full suite of policies the president-elect wants to push through, including deregulation and the extension of expiring tax cuts, should help keep price increases in check.”You could point to some specific policies like tariffs that could be inflationary,” said Moore, who is a senior visiting fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation. “But you have to remember that we’re also going to be reducing other taxes.””Things that are made in the United States will have a lower tax, and things that are made in China will have a higher tax,” he added. “So when you balance those out, you have, you may have relative price shifts, but not overall price increases.” – Across-the-board tariffs  -Economists at some of the top US banks have noted that Trump’s tariff and immigration policies are likely to put upward pressure on inflation and downward pressure on growth, although many expect the impact to be relatively muted as long as Trump does not follow through on his more aggressive policy proposals.But if Trump goes ahead with across-the-board tariffs of as much as 20 percent — as he pledged to do on the campaign trail — that could complicate the Federal Reserve’s job as it looks to return inflation to its long-term target of two percent.The US central bank has cut interest rates by a full percentage point since September in a bid to bolster the labor market. But a recent uptick in inflation has raised concerns that its inflation fight has stalled, putting pressure on Fed chair Jerome Powell to convince his colleagues to keep interest rates on hold.”I think that Trump does understand that inflation is the enemy of the people, and inflation is also the enemy of a presidential term,” Moore said, alluding to the impact that inflation and the cost of living played in the most recent presidential race.”I do expect when Trump gets in and starts putting these policies in place, that you’ll start to see a stabilization of prices,” he added. “And if that doesn’t happen then he may fire Mr. Powell.”In November, Powell told reporters he would not resign as Fed boss if asked to by Trump, adding that firing any of the central bank’s seven governors — including himself — was “not permitted under the law.”- Early executive actions -Moore told AFP that Trump was preparing to sign multiple executive orders during his first days in office aimed at undoing many of the Biden administration’s policies. The executive orders will most likely target “green energy mandates,” diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, return-to-office policies for federal workers, and the withdrawal of the United States from the “counterproductive” Paris climate accords, he said.Another early priority for the next Trump administration will be immigration, he added, with the incoming president’s team likely to follow a “worst first” policy focused on closing the southern border and then deporting undocumented workers who have broken the law. “Get the worst people out of the country first, and then see where we go from there,” he said.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX is gearing up for the seventh orbital flight test of Starship, the colossal prototype rocket the company hopes will help humans colonize Mars.A launch window from the company’s Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, opens at 4:00 pm (2200 GMT) Wednesday and will be carried in a live webcast on Musk’s X platform.Space enthusiasts will be eager to see if SpaceX can replicate the stunning feat of catching the first-stage Super Heavy booster in the launch tower’s “chopstick” arms during descent, approximately seven minutes after liftoff.The maneuver was successfully achieved in October but not during the following flight in November, when President-elect Donald Trump joined Musk to witness the test from mission control.Instead, Super Heavy made a more subdued splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico. This time around, SpaceX announced it had implemented “hardware upgrades to the launch and catch tower to increase reliability for booster catch,” including enhancements to sensor protections on the chopsticks that were damaged during the launch, causing the booster’s offshore diversion.Starship has also undergone several design refinements. Its latest iteration now stands at 403 feet (123 meters) tall, slightly taller than previous versions and roughly 100 feet higher than the Statue of Liberty.Upgrades include a redesigned upper-stage propulsion system capable of carrying 25 percent more propellant, along with modifications to the forward flaps. The flaps have been reduced in size and repositioned to reduce their exposure to intense heat during atmospheric reentry.For the first time, Starship will deploy a payload: 10 Starlink simulators, comparable in size and weight to the company’s internet satellites. Both the simulators and Starship’s upper stage are set to splash down in the Indian Ocean about an hour after launch.- Betting on Starship -SpaceX already dominates the orbital launch market with its Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets, which serve commercial clients, NASA and the Pentagon.But the company has made it clear it sees Starship as its future, with Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell recently indicating it would succeed the Falcon rockets around the turn of the next decade. Designed to be fully reusable, Starship’s test flights currently cost around $90 million, according to analytical group Payload Research, though Musk has expressed confidence in eventually reducing that figure to as low as $10 million per launch.The first three test flights ended in dramatic explosions, resulting in the loss of vehicles. However, SpaceX has rapidly iterated on its design, reflecting its “fail fast, learn fast” philosophy.Musk is aiming to drastically ramp up the frequency of tests, requesting permission from the Federal Aviation Administration to carry out 25 in 2025.The FAA is currently holding public meetings over the issue. Critics have accused the company of causing environmental harms, including disruption to nearby ecologically sensitive areas and alleged violations of wastewater regulations at the launch site.But with Musk now part of Trump’s inner circle, the billionaire could find a more favorable regulatory landscape under the incoming administration.

The deadly Palisades fire is still raging in Los Angeles, but Chuck Hart and his construction crew are already several days into their self-appointed mission to clean up and rebuild their shattered community.”We never left,” said the local contractor, taking a brief pause from shouting directions to his army of workers, as they shovel  scorched debris from the roads and sidewalks into giant pickup trucks and trailers.”We’re going to do everything we can to get this place back up and running as quickly as possible.”At least eight people died in the Palisades fire alone, of 25 across Los Angeles. It razed entire blocks of this upscale neighborhood, and left much more shrouded in an unlivable carnage of ash, mud and collapsed structures.Hart and his team of employees are not being paid or contracted by officials to do this clean-up work.In fact, they are not technically even meant to be here. Due to roadblocks barring entry to Pacific Palisades, they cannot leave because they would not be able to re-enter, and they are “having to sneak in materials and supplies” in order to carry out their work.”We’re staying at my house. We’re sleeping on the floors, on my jiu jitsu mats, couches, beds… no hot water, cold shower, 31 dudes — it’s gnarly,” he said.When the fire broke out, Hart and his crew were working on a construction site within the neighborhood.Hearing that his mother’s house was close to encroaching flames, Hart told his team to “stop everything you’re doing,” and rallied them to protect her property with hoses.”We just rock-and-rolled,” he said.”We were fighting fires. And then we went round all the houses… cleaning debris up out of the streets. “We’ve just been doing that non-stop ever since.”- ‘Vouched for me’ -As far as Hart is aware, nobody else has begun clearing up Pacific Palisades.So far, his team are not touching any private property, focusing on roads and sidewalks.He appears to have the tacit approval of the police and fire officials who regularly circle the streets, checking for smoldering hotspots or looters. A local fire station even shared their meals with his workers. “People in this community that know me really well, that know the higher ups, have vouched for me 100 percent,” he said.For the first few days, he paid his crew out of his own pocket, but has now launched a GoFundMe, which has so far raised $170,000.Still, Hart said convincing his crew to stay was never an issue, many of whom “are like family” and have worked for him for as long as 25 years.”I stayed to protect the area where I work, and also save the company, because that’s where my employer’s house is,” said Raul Lopez Acosta.While the Palisades’ affluent residents might “have the money” to rebuild, “there are many things besides the construction — many memories, feelings, people, who have been living here for two or three generations,” he said. With no access to waste disposal sites to dump the mountains of debris, Hart and his team have “hi-jacked” a neighbor’s lot that had already been totally wiped out by the fire.He has not been able to make contact with the owner to ask permission, but intends to haul out the rubble as soon as the roads are opened.And in any case, he is confident that they will understand, given the extraordinary circumstances.”We’ll get it straightened out. It’s an emergency,” he said.- ‘Uniquely positioned’ -Hart is adamant that Pacific Palisades — where his great-grandparents first settled — will rebuild. He believes that many fellow residents are itching to return and help, but are currently being slowed down by bureaucracy.Officials have warned that the area could reignite, along with other dangers such as downed power lines, and has no safe water or electricity.Jackie Irwin, who represents the Palisades in California’s state assembly, said Tuesday that the official debris cleanup would be “done as quickly as possible.”But Hart does not want to wait — particularly with his construction company’s resources, from dump trucks and trailers to skid steers and grapple buckets, so readily at hand.”I am uniquely positioned to be of maximum service to my community, and I’m going to do it,” he said.”I got all the trucks. I got all the equipment. I got the guys.”Is there anything more he would like?”I really wish we could go home and take a hot shower.”