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 …
Read More »Trump Visits Texas Flood Zone, Praises First Responders Amid Criticism Over Alert Failures
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump traveled to Texas on Friday to meet with first responders and families of flood victims after last week’s catastrophic floods left over 100 dead and more than 150 people missing, including 27 children and camp counselors from a Christian summer camp. At …
Read More »Trump Pushes to Dismantle FEMA, Shift Disaster Response to States
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 …
Read More »Dozens of Members of Congress from Both Parties Plead with Trump to Unfreeze FEMA Grants
Members of Congress from both political parties are calling on the Trump administration to unfreeze funding for a grant program that helps local communities better prepare for natural disasters. The letter from more than 80 lawmakers urges the Federal Emergency Management Agency to begin spending money already approved by Congress …
Read More »President Trump Announces FEMA Overhaul During Visits to Disaster-Stricken States
President Donald Trump began his second term with visits to two states facing devastating natural disasters: North Carolina, recovering from catastrophic flooding caused by Hurricane Helene, and California, battling some of the worst wildfires in its history. During the visits, Trump announced plans to reform the Federal Emergency Management Agency …
Read More »FEMA Faces Armed Threat in North Carolina Amid Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts
Jimmy Williams As nearly 65,000 residents of Rutherford County, North Carolina, grapple with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, a reported armed threat against Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) workers has hindered relief efforts. The situation prompted FEMA to modify its operations, affecting recovery efforts in one of the state’s hardest-hit …
Read More »Biden Slams Trump As ‘damn un-American,’ Urges Congress To Speed Up Hurricane Aid
Jennifer Shutt, Kentucky Lantern President Joe Biden on Thursday urged Congress to end its recess early and return to Capitol Hill to approve emergency funding for hurricane recovery, even though his budget office hasn’t released the supplemental request that would kick off the process. Biden also rebuked Republican presidential candidate …
Read More »Trump and Allies Push False Claims of FEMA Disaster Funds Being Diverted to Migrants
Jimmy Williams Former President Donald Trump, during a rally in Saginaw, Michigan, on Thursday, repeated baseless claims that federal disaster relief funds had been diverted to support migrants in the U.S. illegally. These false allegations come amidst the Biden administration’s ongoing response to Hurricane Helene, which has left a trail …
Read More »FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund Is Running Low On Cash. What Happens Now?
Jennifer Shutt, Georgia Recorder The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster relief fund is in desperate need of cash, with the agency projecting at least a $4 billion deficit in the weeks ahead — even as the government responds to devastating fires in Hawaii and hurricane season continues. FEMA, however, won’t …
Read More »Texas Preparing For A Surge In COVID Deaths, Orders Mortuary Trailers
The state of Texas has requested five mortuary trailers from the Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA) in preparation for an increase in COVID-19 deaths. The state requested the trailers on August 4 after studying data. “We are anticipating a need within the state of Texas for these trailers as COVID cases and …
Read More »Senate Confirms Deanne Criswell As First Woman To Lead FEMA
The Senate confirmed Deanne Criswell to be the next administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency by unanimous consent Thursday. Criswell is the first woman to lead FEMA since its creation in 1979. “I congratulate Deanne Criswell on her historic confirmation to lead the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency …
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