On Tuesday, President Donald Trump announced plans to start “phasing out” the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after the hurricane season, indicating that states will receive less federal assistance for natural disasters. During a White House briefing, Trump mentioned that disaster relief funds would be distributed directly from his office, stating, “We’re going to give out less money.” He suggested a shift in the current protocols, which involve FEMA overseeing aid distribution after presidential disaster declarations.
Trump’s comments signaled a significant intention to diminish or potentially eliminate FEMA, which has an annual budget of approximately $30 billion and employed over 20,000 staff members, including reservists. He indicated that the transition would begin after hurricane season, which lasts from June 1 to November 30, and noted that the current season is predicted to be above normal, possibly featuring as many as ten hurricanes.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem supported Trump’s stance, expressing that FEMA “fundamentally needs to go away as it exists.” She communicated that governors are being encouraged to collaborate on disaster responses, fostering mutual aid agreements so states can manage independently, with federal assistance reserved for catastrophic events.
The proposed changes would mark a dramatic shift in how disaster relief is managed in the U.S., removing FEMA from its central role and foregrounding direct involvement from the presidential office in overseeing disaster funding. This potentially raises concerns about the efficiency and effectiveness of disaster response at a time when states might increasingly rely on federal support amid rising natural disasters.
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