On Tuesday, President Donald Trump announced plans to phase out the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after the current hurricane season, signaling a shift in how states will receive federal disaster aid. During a White House briefing, Trump stated that disaster relief funds would be distributed directly from the president’s office rather than through FEMA, which traditionally manages disaster response funding. He indicated that states would receive less federal financial support and emphasized a new approach by saying, “We’re going to give it out directly… we’ll have somebody here, could be Homeland Security.”
The hurricane season runs from June 1 to November, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicting an above-normal season, potentially seeing up to 10 hurricanes. Trump’s comments suggest a significant downsizing of FEMA, which previously operated with a budget of about $30 billion and employed over 20,000 people, including reservists.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem echoed Trump’s sentiment, asserting that FEMA, as it currently stands, “fundamentally needs to go away.” She encouraged states to foster cooperation and build mutual aid agreements, promoting self-sufficiency in disaster response while allowing the federal government to assist only in catastrophic situations.
Trump’s proposal to eliminate FEMA signifies a considerable policy shift, potentially impacting disaster preparedness and response at the state level. The plan aligns with his broader push to reduce federal agency roles and suggests a more centralized control over disaster aid from the executive branch.
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