President Trump expresses dissatisfaction with FEMA's performance and considers dismantling the agency, proposing a shift in disaster response to state governments. He visits hurricane-ravaged North Carolina and wildfire-stricken California, outlining his plans for a federal government playing a less active role in disaster relief.
President Donald Trump signaled his intention to significantly restructure the Federal Emergency Management Agency ( FEMA ) during a visit to hurricane-ravaged North Carolina on January 24, 2025, marking his first trip since the start of his second term. Trump, who also planned to visit wildfire-stricken Los Angeles later in the day, expressed displeasure with FEMA 's performance, labeling it 'very bureaucratic,' 'very slow,' and a 'very big disappointment.
' He stated that he was considering an executive order to redefine FEMA's role, suggesting that states should take primary responsibility for disaster management. 'I'd like to see the states take care of disasters,' Trump said upon arrival in the Asheville area. 'Let the state take care of the tornadoes and the hurricanes and all of the other things that happen.'Trump's visit to North Carolina followed a monthslong recovery effort from Hurricane Helene, which struck the state in September. He criticized the response to the hurricane under the previous administration, led by President Joe Biden, stating that it had been allowed to 'fester.' Trump will receive briefings on recovery efforts and meet with residents who received assistance from Samaritan's Purse, a humanitarian organization headed by evangelical leader Franklin Graham.In Los Angeles, Trump plans to tour the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, severely impacted by ongoing wildfires. He will receive a briefing on the fires, which have prompted thousands of evacuations. Trump has repeatedly criticized California leaders for water policies, falsely claiming they exacerbated the blazes. He has suggested withholding federal assistance until the state implements changes, a move that has drawn condemnation from some members of Congress. Rep. Young Kim, a Republican from Orange County, called playing politics with people's livelihoods 'unacceptable' and 'a slap in the face' to wildfire victims and first responders. Trump's past actions suggest a pattern of injecting politics and misinformation into disaster response. During his first term, he reportedly contemplated limiting aid to Democratic states that didn't support him. On the campaign trail last year, he made unfounded claims that Democrats were deliberately withholding support from Republican areas in North Carolina. His focus on California water policies, particularly fish conservation efforts, has also been a recurring theme.Michael Coen, who served as FEMA chief of staff during the Biden administration, characterized Trump's stance as 'misinformed,' arguing that FEMA provides essential support to states overwhelmed by disasters. He emphasized that the American public expects the federal government to be there for them during their most challenging times, regardless of their location. Trump's previous visits to disaster zones, including hurricane and tornado aftermaths, often sparked criticism, such as his controversial act of tossing paper towels to Hurricane Maria survivors in Puerto Rico
FEMA Disaster Relief Donald Trump Hurricane Helene Wildfires California North Carolina Federal Government States' Rights Executive Order
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