Poli Alert Politics & Civics
Related Articles
President Donald Trump said Tuesday that his administration aims to significantly reduce or eliminate FEMA’s role in natural disaster response, arguing that states are better equipped to handle emergencies like hurricanes, wildfires, and tornadoes.
“We want to wean off of FEMA and bring it down to the state level,” Trump said following a wildfire and emergency management briefing. “It has not worked out well. It’s extremely expensive.”
Citing FEMA’s perceived inefficiency, Trump emphasized shifting emergency response responsibilities to governors, saying they should “give each other a hand” and develop interstate disaster support systems. He likened the shift to his push to decentralize education policy.
FEMA’s Future: “Support Agency” or Elimination
Trump reiterated his long-held interest in downsizing or eliminating FEMA, which has existed since 1979, and transforming it into a limited support agency offering supplemental funding in extreme cases.
“That’s what governors are for,” he said. “It’s much more local, and they’ll develop a system — and it will be a great system.”
As part of this effort, Trump signed executive action in January establishing a FEMA Review Council to evaluate the agency’s performance during the Biden administration and propose recommendations for its future.
Staffing Cuts and Internal Disarray
The administration’s intent to shrink FEMA is already taking form. More than 200 probationary employees were fired earlier this year, and the contract renewal process for two-thirds of the agency’s workforce was overhauled just weeks before hurricane season began on June 1.
In an internal presentation obtained by CBS News, FEMA admitted that its readiness for the 2025 hurricane season has been “derailed” by staffing and restructuring efforts. The presentation noted that “the intent for this hurricane season is not well understood,” and warned that FEMA is not ready.
A Department of Homeland Security official later pushed back, insisting FEMA is “fully activated in preparation for Hurricane Season.”
Confusion Within FEMA Leadership
Tensions rose further after acting FEMA Administrator David Richardson reportedly told staff during a daily briefing that he was unaware the U.S. had a hurricane season. According to CBS News, three sources confirmed the statement left employees stunned and uncertain whether the comment was a joke.
A Homeland Security spokesperson later defended Richardson, stating, “There is no uncertainty about what FEMA will be doing this Hurricane Season. FEMA is laser focused on disaster response.”
Noem: States Must Prepare for Reduced Federal Help
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem echoed Trump’s message during a press briefing in the Oval Office, stating that governors are being prepared for reduced federal intervention.
“We’re building mutual-aid agreements among states so they can stand on their own two feet,” Noem said. “The federal government will only come in during catastrophic circumstances.”
She confirmed that Trump intends to eliminate FEMA “as it exists” and replace it with a leaner framework that gives states decision-making authority with only financial support from the federal government.
“This agency fundamentally needs to go away as it exists,” Noem said.
Rising Risks During Active Hurricane Season
The National Weather Service has predicted an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season, with three to five major hurricanes expected. FEMA’s internal concerns and workforce reductions have raised fears among disaster response experts about the country’s readiness.
Critics warn that eliminating FEMA could leave vulnerable states ill-equipped during catastrophic events — especially in the South and Gulf Coast, where natural disasters are frequent and costly.
With Trump’s 79th birthday coinciding with a weekend military celebration, the president’s broader agenda to shrink the federal government appears to be gaining momentum — and FEMA may be one of the first agencies to face dramatic restructuring or elimination.
