According to States Newsroom, President Donald Trump has suggested reducing the role of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), stating that states should handle disaster response independently while the federal government provides financial reimbursement.
He has called FEMA a “disaster” and convened a council to review the agency’s structure.
The report states that officials in disaster-prone states have raised concerns over the proposal, arguing that FEMA provides more than just funding.
The agency coordinates emergency resources, provides flood insurance, conducts damage assessments, and distributes billions in recovery aid.
Vermont state Sen. Anne Watson, who has been involved in flood recovery efforts, said: “FEMA has been an absolute lifesaver for people.
“I don’t see [states and municipalities] as being able to replicate what FEMA does.”
States Newsroom reports that Trump has also linked disaster aid to policy changes, stating that federal wildfire recovery funds for Los Angeles should be conditional on California enacting voter ID laws.
This has created additional uncertainty among state leaders regarding federal assistance.
The report also states that Trump and his allies have criticized FEMA’s handling of Hurricane Helene, spreading false claims that disaster relief funds were redirected to immigrants without legal status.
These statements have added to concerns about whether the federal government will continue to play its current role in disaster response.
States Newsroom reports that while Trump cannot unilaterally dissolve FEMA, his administration could significantly weaken the agency through budget cuts and personnel reductions.
The report highlights concerns that experienced officials may leave the agency, affecting its ability to respond to disasters.
Lynn Budd, director of the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security, was cited as saying that eliminating FEMA would be “not realistic,” noting the economies of scale a national agency provides.
Budd, who also serves as president of the National Emergency Management Association, has called for state emergency managers to be involved in the review of FEMA’s future.
Governors from disaster-prone states have raised concerns that shifting full disaster response responsibility to states would be impractical.
According to States Newsroom, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said that replicating FEMA’s functions at the state level would be far more expensive than maintaining a national agency.
Local officials who have managed disaster recovery efforts have also emphasized FEMA’s importance.
The report states that Moore, Oklahoma Mayor Mark Hamm pointed to the agency’s financial support after tornadoes, saying that disaster recovery costs would have otherwise overwhelmed the city’s budget.
“That would bankrupt our city, our budget,” Hamm said.
States Newsroom has reported that President Donald Trump’s proposal to shift disaster response responsibilities from FEMA to individual states has drawn criticism from state and local emergency officials.
Trump has described FEMA as a “disaster” and suggested that states take over emergency response while the federal government provides financial reimbursement.
The report highlights concerns that FEMA plays an essential role beyond funding, including coordinating federal agencies, providing flood insurance, and managing disaster recovery efforts.
Experts caution that eliminating or weakening FEMA could have severe consequences, particularly as climate change increases the frequency and severity of disasters.
Governors and local officials have also raised concerns about Trump’s approach, with some arguing that making disaster aid conditional on unrelated policy changes creates uncertainty for states.
The report states that emergency managers have called for state officials to be involved in discussions about FEMA’s future to ensure that disaster response capabilities remain effective.
The report was written by Alex Brown and Kevin Hardy for States Newsroom.
