Trump Plans to Phase Out FEMA Post-Hurricane Season, Shifting Disaster Response to States
President Trump intends to phase out FEMA after the hurricane season, redistributing disaster response responsibilities and federal aid directly from the White House.
Last Call at the Disaster Department
The Atlantic
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Overview
- Trump aims to phase out FEMA after the current hurricane season, shifting disaster response responsibilities to individual states.
- The plan includes distributing disaster relief funds directly from the president's office, departing from established protocols.
- FEMA, which has an annual budget of about $30 billion and over 20,000 employees, has seen staff reductions under the Trump administration.
- Experts express concerns that decreased federal aid and major disaster declarations could hinder effective disaster response efforts.
- Aid groups are preparing to assess their roles in disaster recovery if FEMA's funding and resources are significantly reduced.
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FAQ
The administration plans to distribute disaster recovery aid directly from the president's office, possibly through Homeland Security, bypassing established FEMA protocols and reducing overall federal aid to states[1].
Emergency managers say most states lack the budget and personnel to handle catastrophic disasters independently, which could hinder effective disaster response and recovery[1].
Aid groups are preparing to reassess their roles and capacities in disaster recovery, anticipating challenges if federal funding and resources are significantly reduced.
President Trump plans to phase out FEMA after the current hurricane season, with the new system and direct aid distribution from the president's office expected to begin thereafter[1].
FEMA, which has an annual budget of about $30 billion and over 20,000 employees, has experienced staff reductions under the Trump administration.
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