Trump suggests eliminating FEMA during North Carolina visit as he attacks disaster response



President Trump Suggests Eliminating FEMA, Sending Disaster Relief Funds Directly to States

President Donald Trump suggested on Friday that he might eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and instead send disaster relief funds directly to states to manage their own emergency response efforts. Trump made the comments during a trip to tour damage from Hurricane Helene flooding in North Carolina, a state he has repeatedly criticized for being “abandoned” by the Democrats.

Trump said that FEMA has been “a very big disappointment” and is slow, bureaucratic, and expensive for the federal government. He claimed that the agency is “turned out to be a disaster” and that he believes states should handle their own emergency response efforts, with the federal government providing reimbursement.

Trump’s comments left many unanswered questions about what would happen to displaced residents of western North Carolina who are worried about their housing in the coming days and weeks. FEMA provides transitional shelter assistance to affected households, but Trump’s proposal could leave states to find alternative funding sources.

Experts, including former FEMA Chief Deanne Criswell, warn that Trump’s desire to eliminate or curtail FEMA could have chilling effects on emergency response, even at the state level. Criswell said that state emergency management directors should be concerned about the implications of Trump’s proposal, especially as the spring tornado season and hurricane season approach.

Trump’s comments also raised questions about the future of disaster relief funding, as Republicans in Congress are looking to cut spending. Trump is seeking to have his agenda, including disaster relief, passed as part of a reconciliation spending bill.

The President’s trip to California, where wildfires have ravaged the Los Angeles area, was also marked by controversy. Trump said that California should require voter identification and that water should be released to combat the fires, sparking concerns that he is politicizing disaster relief.

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