President Donald Trump's visit to storm-ravaged North Carolina takes an unexpected turn as he proposes significant changes to federal disaster management.
According to CNBC, Trump suggested the possible elimination of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) during his briefing in Asheville, North Carolina, while preparing to inspect wildfire damage in Los Angeles.
The President's announcement coincides with the creation of a new task force called the Federal Emergency Management Agency Review Council, which will include the Homeland Security and Defense secretaries along with private sector experts. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the impending executive order to establish this review group.
Speaking from Asheville Regional Airport, Trump outlined his vision for disaster management, emphasizing state-level responsibility over federal intervention. His proposal aligns with the conservative policy blueprint known as Project 2025, which advocates for reducing federal spending on disaster preparedness and response.
The President elaborated on his stance regarding FEMA's current operational model. Trump stated:
I like, frankly, the concept [that] when North Carolina gets hit, the governor takes care of it. When Florida gets hit, the governor takes care of it, meaning the state takes care of it. To have a group of people come in from an area that don't even know where they're going, in order to solve immediately a problem is something that never worked for me.
The timing of Trump's announcement has raised concerns among affected communities, particularly as Los Angeles continues to battle devastating wildfires in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood.
The proposed changes to FEMA come at a critical time when both North Carolina and California face significant recovery challenges. The Biden administration had previously approved more than $2.7 billion in FEMA assistance for survivors of Hurricanes Helene and Milton by November 5.
Former FEMA leaders have expressed mixed reactions to Trump's proposal. While some agree with the concept of state-managed disaster response, many states have historically advocated for increased federal support rather than less.
Trump's approach to disaster relief has shown political undertones, particularly in his criticism of California's Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom during the recent wildfires. He has suggested making federal aid conditional on changes to state water policy.
The economic impact of the current disasters continues to mount, with Los Angeles fires causing tens of billions in losses and exacerbating the state's existing home insurance crisis. Despite his proposed FEMA overhaul, Trump maintains his commitment to providing federal resources to affected communities.
Local residents have shown mixed reactions to the proposed changes. In Swannanoa, North Carolina, FEMA aid recipient Lucy Bickers demonstrated support for the agency during Trump's visit, highlighting the complex dynamics at play.
The administration has yet to present a formal proposal for restructuring federal disaster relief policy, though Trump's executive order for the review council suggests concrete changes may be forthcoming.
The proposed dismantling of FEMA represents a significant shift in federal disaster response policy, with President Trump advocating for greater state control over emergency management. As North Carolina recovers from Hurricane Helene and Los Angeles battles unprecedented wildfires, the future of federal disaster assistance hangs in the balance. The newly announced Federal Emergency Management Agency Review Council will evaluate the agency's effectiveness and potentially recommend its dissolution while affected communities await clarity on how future disasters will be managed under a revised system.
