## Trump Administration Seeks to Reshape FEMA, Shifting Disaster Response to States
President Donald Trump’s administration is undertaking a significant review of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), potentially shifting a substantial portion of disaster response and recovery responsibilities from the federal government to individual states. This move follows Trump’s earlier suggestion to abolish FEMA altogether, a proposal he made during visits to disaster-stricken areas in North Carolina and California.
An executive order has established a 20-member committee, co-chaired by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, to conduct a comprehensive review of FEMA’s operations and recommend structural changes. The committee’s report, due later this year, will compare FEMA’s disaster response with state-level efforts, both contemporary and pre-1979 (before FEMA’s establishment under President Carter). The review also casts the future of the National Flood Insurance Program, currently managed by FEMA and serving over 4.7 million homeowners, into uncertainty.
Trump’s rationale for this overhaul centers on his belief that FEMA is inefficient and that states are better equipped to handle disaster relief. He has advocated for a system where the federal government would provide a percentage of funding directly to states, allowing them to manage disaster response independently. This perspective was echoed by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who, while acknowledging FEMA’s occasional frustrations, expressed support for streamlining the process and potentially reducing federal red tape.
However, this proposed shift has garnered criticism. The Democratic Governors Association condemned the initiative as “floating dangerous ideas,” highlighting the crucial role Democratic governors have played in effectively responding to natural disasters. The National Governors Association declined to comment, while the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Republican Governors Association did not respond to requests for comment.
Despite the criticisms, House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed support for reviewing FEMA’s operations, emphasizing the need for improved leadership within the agency while acknowledging the generally effective work of local FEMA personnel. He emphasized that no government department or agency should be exempt from evaluation as part of the broader Republican effort to streamline and reduce the size of government.
The financial implications of this potential shift are significant. Congress recently appropriated $25.3 billion for FEMA, a figure lower than previous years and significantly less than President Biden’s budget request. However, an additional $29 billion was allocated for disaster relief in a separate emergency spending bill. FEMA’s interactive data reveals approximately $250 billion in federal spending on disaster relief since 2017 (excluding COVID-19 funds), with substantial amounts directed to states that strongly supported Trump in the previous presidential election. Examples include Louisiana receiving $19.3 billion (including $11.5 billion from FEMA), South Dakota receiving nearly $400 million (with $275.6 million from FEMA), and Florida receiving $29.5 billion (including $19 billion from FEMA). The potential impact on state budgets if FEMA’s role is significantly curtailed remains unclear.
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Last updated 11:21 a.m., Jan. 31, 2025
by Jennifer Shutt, Minnesota Reformer, January 27, 2025