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Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Sunday that President Donald Trump no longer intends to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but rather “remake” it into a more flexible and efficient agency—especially in light of the administration’s response to the devastating Texas floods, which have claimed at least 129 lives with 166 still missing.
Appearing on NBC’s Meet the Press, Noem said the president’s vision is for a restructured FEMA, one that would operate differently from its traditional role.
“FEMA should not exist the way that it always has been. It needs to be redeployed in a new way,” Noem said. “And that’s what we did during this response.”
She highlighted the use of other federal agencies, including the Coast Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, in disaster response as examples of the kind of “whole-of-government” coordination Trump favors. While both agencies traditionally assist in such situations, their prominent role in the Texas flood response marks a shift in how the administration is approaching emergency management.
Trump Once Targeted FEMA for Elimination
In the early days of his second term, President Trump criticized FEMA, claiming it had “let the country down,” and signed an executive order for a “full-scale review” of the agency. He and Noem had floated the idea of dismantling FEMA entirely, prompting concern among disaster relief experts.
Now, however, Noem says Trump sees a future for FEMA — but in a drastically different form.
“The federal response in Texas is what FEMA would look like into the future,” Noem said, referencing the administration’s deployment of multiple DHS agencies.
Spending Oversight and Accountability
Noem also confirmed that all Department of Homeland Security contracts over $100,000 now require her personal sign-off, a policy that has drawn scrutiny amid reports of delays in disaster aid.
“It’s an accountability on contracts,” she said, denying any interruptions in FEMA response. “Those contracts were approved as soon as they were in front of me.”
Critics have pointed to the sign-off policy and staff departures at FEMA as factors that may have slowed emergency aid during the floods, especially in Kerr County, where sirens and text alert systems were missing or inadequate.
Democrats Push Back, Noem Dismisses Resignation Call
Democratic lawmakers, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), have slammed the administration’s handling of the floods. Warren even called for Noem’s resignation, which Noem dismissed outright.
“I don’t care what she thinks,” Noem said, laughing. “There is no chance I’m resigning.”
Gov. Andy Beshear (D-Ky.), also on Meet the Press, urged officials to “embrace the questions” and avoid politicizing the disaster response.
“It’s ‘how do we save more lives?’ That’s the only question that matters,” he said.
Immigration and “Alligator Alcatraz” Detention Center Controversy
Noem also defended the administration’s controversial immigrant detention center in Florida, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” by critics. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) described the facility as “appalling,” saying detainees were crammed into “cages” holding more than 30 people each.
Noem rejected the characterization.
“I wouldn’t call them jail cells,” she said. “They are secure facilities held to the highest standards.”
She added that the facility is state-run, though federally supervised, and said the administration is considering new detention centers. She also encouraged migrants to “self-deport.”
Legal Setback on Deportation Efforts
The administration suffered a setback Friday when a federal judge in California ruled that immigration officials cannot detain individuals based solely on race or language, a practice alleged in several lawsuits. Noem pledged to comply with the ruling but denied targeting people on those grounds.
“We build a case and do investigative work,” she said. “We don’t just arrest people because of how they look.”
Border Czar Tom Homan, speaking on CNN, acknowledged “collateral arrests” do happen, but defended the administration’s overall tactics.
“Physical description can’t be the sole factor,” Homan said, though he added that certain traits, like gang tattoos, could justify further scrutiny.
Looking Ahead: FEMA’s Future and Political Fallout
The administration’s evolving stance on FEMA — once slated for elimination, now promised a transformation — reflects a broader trend in the Trump White House to reshape federal agencies around loyalty and efficiency, critics say.
Whether FEMA will survive as a remade disaster force or face deeper budget and personnel cuts remains to be seen. For now, the administration is standing firm on its flood response and immigration policies, despite legal and political pressure.
“This is what the future looks like under our administration,” Noem said. “We respond faster, better — and differently.”
